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Ralph Nader > Special Features > Nader Says Postal Service Financial Problems Manufactured, Time to Stop Closing Post Offices

Nader Says Postal Service Financial Problems Manufactured, Time to Stop Closing Post Offices

Consumer Advocate Ralph Nader Calls the U.S. Postal Service’s Financial Problems a Manufactured Crisis

Calls on Congress to Take Quick, Easy Action to Prevent Further Service Cuts, Post Office Closings, and Job Cuts

In a letter to Senator Joseph Lieberman and Congressman Darrell Issa, Mr. Nader proposed simple solutions to fix the U.S. Postal Service’s financial hole. Mr. Nader noted, however, that the financial “crisis” facing the USPS was completely manufactured.

Mr. Nader identified several drains on the U.S. Postal Service’s financial resources, including a Congressional mandate that the USPS prefund its future retiree health benefits for the next 75 years by 2016 and $82 billion in overpayments that the USPS has made to federal pension systems which have yet to be refunded.

Mr. Nader points out that the $103.7 billion prefunding mandate is something that, “no other government or private corporation is required to do and is an incredibly unreasonable burden.” He continues by revealing that without this onerous prepayment provision, “the USPS would not have a net deficiency of nearly $20 billion, but instead be in the black by at least $1.5 billion.”

Mr. Nader ended by calling on Congress to take action that would have a minimal impact on the patrons of the USPS and prevent further post office closings, deterioration of service, or job cuts.

Mr. Nader ended with a simple reminder to “Remember Ben Franklin’s vision” Click here for a full copy of the letter.