Government at work
The scene is I’m standing in line at the post office and have been for about 20 minutes when I have this conversation:
Random Guy Behind Me: If the post office could figure out how to take people’s money faster, they might make some money.
Me: Yeah, with that last woman, I figure the post office just spent about $20-$30 in labor, benefits and overhead to make 82 cents.
Random Guy Behind Me: You actually quantified it?
Me: Well, I have been here a few minutes and already read through Feedly.
February 25th, 2014 at 11:52 pm
When I pay cash for postage at the post office, how come my receipt is two feet long?
February 26th, 2014 at 12:13 am
Reminds me of what I’ve read too many times on websites the last four years:
“If you think government controlled healthcare is all peaches and cream, go wait in line at the USPS.”
February 26th, 2014 at 9:50 am
So you were only waiting in line 5 minutes? That’s pretty quick for the post office.
February 26th, 2014 at 9:57 am
20 before conversation. 30 total
February 26th, 2014 at 12:34 pm
Can’t use the Department of Motor Vehicles around here as an example; at least my location is like a hotel lobby, and they’ve been tweaking things for magnificent gains in efficiency. Most days you can barely warm the seat in the waiting area.
February 26th, 2014 at 1:38 pm
If your government is going to create and enforce a coercive monopoly, would you rather they be competent and efficient about it or dumb and inefficient?
Hint; it’s a loaded question. It’s the premise, not the conditions, that is the point.
February 26th, 2014 at 2:54 pm
I can’t wait until they are a bank too!
February 26th, 2014 at 4:31 pm
Your time is valuable. Unless you were applying for a passport or mailing a registered item, there wasn’t any reason for you to be standing in that line. All other postal business can be transacted through your hand-held newsreader. They spent a lot of money and effort to keep you out of there.
If you need to pick up a time-sensitive item, try calling in advance. Usually a manager will meet you at the door.
February 28th, 2014 at 7:18 pm
Sorry comatus, but the PO won’t let you buy stamps, mail items weighing more than one pound, or pick up certified mail without either paying a fee for the privilege of using your own ink and paper for postage or going to a PO. It’s almost as if they have a unionized workforce doing their best to make sure that customer service jobs aren’t cut.