The inclusion of three local post offices on the “perhaps to close” list set me to thinking: what exactly would closing post offices look like? After quite a bit of thought and research, I think that it might make life EASIER for small town Americans.
It amazes me that the people that call for “smaller government” and “cutting the budget” get so upset when this actually happens. Take Governor Terry Branstad: He has asked for a moratorium on Iowa post office closings. The same Terry Branstad that stuck by his guns, gol durn it, when it came to freezing education budgets doesn’t want the federal government to close small town post offices (particularly the ones that rent their space from him—there are a dozen such post offices). So—firing teachers and leaving children without resources: good fiscal policy; but closing post offices in microscopic towns that aren’t even incorporated; NO WAY JOSE!
I have a friend that is a raging Republican (yes, it is an odd friendship) that brags of voting for Branstad and “getting rid of Culver.” The same friend was really ticked off when schools started cutting teachers in his kids’ school. Apparently he didn’t think zero percent growth for schools would affect him.
Sorry, folks, but massive budget cuts affect (or at least should affect) EVERYONE. However, the post office cut, unlike the school budget freeze and the recent decision to close three dozen Iowa Workforce Development offices, could turn out to be a GOOD thing for small town Iowans.
First of all, it would necessitate mail delivery to the door—like most of America enjoys already. No more driving down to the post office to pick up the mail—which would be sad because of the loss of the social aspect—but would be way more convenient, particularly to senior citizens during those treacherous icy months. Yes, it certainly is nice to have a gathering place for folks and in some small towns (such as Burnside) the post office is the one and only place for this to occur. However, it is not the federal government’s role to provide socialization for its citizens.
Secondly, it would bring more traffic into existing small town businesses. The US Postal Service says when they close a post office, they try to set up a satellite station in a local business. In other words, instead of buying a book of stamps at the post office, citizens would go to Casey’s or the grocery store. And—while they are there, they might pick up a loaf of bread or a birthday card for Mom instead of waiting to do this during a weekly trip to a larger town.
However, towns like Burnside with absolutely no businesses would be in a pickle with this plan. The only “business” in Burnside is the school—which is probably the post office’s biggest customer. I’m thinking Karla, Sharon, and Beth have enough to do without also dispensing stamps! Perhaps a stamp machine or purchasing postage on line would be practical in the very small towns without businesses.
Streamlining the post office system (which loses money every year) seems like a prudent way to cut the budget. And although I mourn the death of small town America, I can’t use “it’s all our town has” as a reason to spend unnecessary money.
Hell must be freezing over because this liberal democrat approves of a budget cut and the Republican governor is against it. I guess when the tables turn, they turn big time.
No comments:
Post a Comment