Ever wonder why the USPS keeps losing money?

And keeps raising the price of stamps?

                                   

There are probably a lot of reasons, frankly, among which are horrible management, union domination, and a changing technology and delivery business landscape.  Along with a belief that they are ‘too big and too important to fail.’  Not to mention ‘we are the government.’

But we think another reason is on display here in our little town, the richest in America.  Photos seem appropriate to make our point.

If you head into down town at all, you know this rather sizable looking project has been going on for months.  We didn’t make a point of recording the start date, but if we had to guess, it’s been going on since October, or at the latest, November.  You can correct us if you have hard data on when it actually began.

                  

The early signs of preparation had us thinking the foundation was being rebuilt, or some other serious construction/reconstruction project was getting under way.  A very large area in front of the building was fenced off, and as you can see, most of the front windows were protected with plywood sheathing.  All of which gave the impression that major work was to be undertaken.

Several weeks ago, on a day we didn’t have a camera handy, we peaked through the fence to see what was going on.  As best we can describe it, the front steps, which had been deteriorating and crumbling for some years, were being rebuilt.  In addition, a concrete ramp, complete with heating to melt any snow or ice accumulation, was being added.  Lots and lots of steel rebar, forms, and hot water plumbing were in evidence.

We told ourselves that if that was all that’s involved, it should be completed pretty soon, as in January, maybe?

Not gonna happen.  Tomorrow is the first day of March, and here are pictures taken today, the last day of February.

                                    

                                

                    

It seems obvious that the project, whatever it’s scope, was planned to take place during the most expensive construction season of the year.  Calling for ‘ground heaters’ and all sorts of special accommodations for cold weather.

Not to mention that a rather grandiose temporary ramp was built, along with an associated new entrance into the post office lobby.  You have to see it in person to get a sense of just how grand it is.  Our guess is that it exceeds whatever you’ve seen elsewhere for a permanent ramp.

                               

But this is government, and we have to make appropriate allowances.  They can’t be expected to think critically about an efficient and economical plan for the repairs, or even to use prudence in establishing the scope of the work.

                                   

It’s anybody’s guess how much this is all costing, though it doesn’t matter, because ‘the feds are paying for it.’  Just like Medicaid expansion.  The money doesn’t come from you and I; it comes from la-la land.

In spite of all the rationalizing, we can’t help but take a wild guess about the total cost of this project.  Pick a number, and then double it, because this is a government funded project.

Our first shot at it is $100 thousand. 

                                          

Your job is to figure out how many stamps need to be sold at two cents more than last year to cover this cost, keeping in mind that such critical improvements are taking place all around our country.  Or looked at from a different angle, how much the Federal subsidy to the USPS has to increase to cover this type of expense a thousand times over.

Or more.

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