Government business efficiency

[stevenash]

In the second quarter of 2014, the U.S. Postal Service lost 2 billion dollars. In the same quarter last year, it lost 740 million dollars. If you add to these two numbers the fact that the USPS defaulted on its debt last fall, how on earth can ANYONE believe that government needs to be more involved in the businesses conducted in this country? In the meantime, privately held and managed UPS and FedEx continue to be profitable. self supporting enterprises.

[NorthoftheBorder]

Its a crying shame.

[bullets13]

I know one problem is that they pay too much. For being able to drive a car and read addresses you can make $60k a year with ridiculous government benefits and incredible retirement. It's not that it's not a noble profession, but it's a job that they could fill at a much lower salary considering it doesn't require a degree or much ability or knowledge.

[smitty]

In the second quarter of 2014, the U.S. Postal Service lost 2 billion dollars. In the same quarter last year, it lost 740 million dollars. If you add to these two numbers the fact that the USPS defaulted on its debt last fall, how on earth can ANYONE believe that government needs to be more involved in the businesses conducted in this country? In the meantime, privately held and managed UPS and FedEx continue to be profitable. self supporting enterprises.

Steve, I guess that every government program is doomed to fail.  Everyone knows this is a colossal failure.  It keeps losing money year after year.  But, the politicians keep walking around like every day is Christmas...

[stevenash]

There is no accountability in government. I agree with Bullets also. The old theory that government employees needed to be paid more in order to compete with the private sector simply isn't true anymore. In the majority of cases, government employees earn more than their private business counterparts and get retirement benefits unavailable to most in the private sector. That is why we should not lose sight of the value of the profit motive where everyone is held accountable.