It specifically grants Congress the power to operate a postal service. Just because they have the power doesn't mean they have to do it.
> I'd rather look at how it can do an already pretty good job, better. I know I go to USPS when I ship anything.
When it comes to packages, USPS vs UPS vs FedEx have their pros/cons, but the options mean that most end user's needs are met, whatever they are. The question is why USPS enjoys a state sanctioned monopoly on paper mail specifically.
I'm curious -- can you link to more detail about this? I've never had trouble sending paper mail through UPS or FedEx. What does the monopoly cover, specifically?
By law, private corporations aren't allowed to deliver anything to your mailbox, only the USPS can.
On the one hand, it seems unfair. On the other hand, since they don't have any cost-competitive offerings, it seems like a non-issue. I'm a big fan of the USPS, but if it looked like FedEx could help push the letter rate down, I would be a fan of revoking that law. (If a private carrier committed to serving 100% of the USPS coverage area.)
It doesn't have exclusivity for letter service. UPS, FedEx, and DHL (among others) will carry letters across the country for you.
Yes, it's going to cost ~$10 to roughly match the service speed of a USPS first-class stamp. But it's available.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/39/320.6
There are minimums they can charge and some speed requirements.
https://about.usps.com/publications/pub542/pub542_ch5_001.ht...
USPS has to get paid the going rate for postage. But given that no private carriers are within a factor of 10 of USPS pricing, that seems like it's not the barrier here. (Also: much easier to make the argument that the $1.00 letter service from FedEx could be $0.45 if Congress would update the relevant law.)
This really looks like the private carriers have carved off the profitable part (rapid delivery) and leave USPS with the hard, unprofitable part (delivery to 100% of addresses, for $0.55).
As for regular mail, they don't offer that because it's impossible to compete when you have to pay your competitor for every sale you make.
Now, why does it have exclusivity for letter service? I don't know the history.
I'd rather look at how it can do an already pretty good job, better. I know I go to USPS when I ship anything.
Why isn't it in the banking business? Why doesn't it operate an official email / Identity Provider? Among other services that a correspondence service, a federal service with the most physical public spaces, could offer?