Recently reported federal government financial misadventures include trains (Amtrak), battery-powered automobiles (EnerDel) and the U.S. Postal Service

Regarding the postal service tragi-comedy, it has been notching losses for many years which could reach $16 billion by 2016 (suggested postal slogan: “16 in 16!”). So naturally, they want to take their winning ways into other areas such as check-cashing, the leasing of extra space in postal facilities and mail trucks to the private sector, and having mail carriers carry monitors that could test for air quality and track weather. Given my highly mixed experiences with the U.S. postal service, the possibilities for badly executing these new missions are virtually limitless; although the late-night comedians would have fodder in perpetuity.

As the Postal Clause in the U.S. Constitution was added primarily to facilitate interstate communication, as well as to create a source of revenue for the early United States, one could make the worthy argument that both needs no longer exist. Interstate communication is more than adequately met via the internet and private delivery companies and much unlike the early days of this Republic when there were very few sources of revenue for the government, today there is a very robust (to put it kindly) tax regime (income, estate, excise, etc.) as well as other sources of income for the government.

But if the postal service is adamant about spreading its magic, here is an excellent model that will greatly benefit this country: become a consultant to foreign governments and businesses. Assuming foreigners heed its sage advice, the U.S. will regain its dominance and competitive edge faster than you can say “National Letter Carriers Association”.

-I.M. Windee