Yes, it's true they're inefficient because government is involved. Unlike a business, they can't decide to charge more for delivering mail to different places- it has to be the same rate, by mandate, leading to inefficiencies. They have a mandate to deliver to EVERYONE, not just people in cities who are profitable, so their rural services suck up more money. Oh, yeah, and unlike a business, they can't just decide to close on Saturdays to save money, nor can they decide to close said rural facilities, NOR raise prices without congressional approval. And ideological divide aside, congress is just plain inefficient for a business to depend on.
Finally, unlike private businesses, they actually HAVE to fund their pension obligations upfront and can't just screw people over when they retire, which makes them look less solvent than other comparable businesses that get to play pension accounting tricks. In fact, they have to fund 75 years of obligations in 10 years of working Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (PAEA)
USPS would be fixed if congress didn't have such a heavy hand in operating it, that's true. I just take objection to the idea that they haven't done a fine job with the hand they've been dealt. I'd love to see fedex, DHL, UPS, or some other service take on the mandates and restrictions that USPS has and turn a profit.
Zero
But, I don't complain.....much.
