Overheard at PO today: they say government healthcare will be run like the PO

[Catshrink]

of course the line was long and there was only one clerk working. Someone else starting to chime in about the delay and inefficiency of the PO (yeah, the line might be long, but we do get our mail, right?). Anyway I opened my big mouth saying "yeah, but remember a lot of people just can't get insurance." I expected a bit of a debate but to my surprise, the 5 or 6 of us in this discussion starting agreeing that so many people couldn't get insurance and so maybe this was a good thing. And people started telling stories about so and so being dropped and rate increases, etc.

I'm glad I said something instead of just quietly seething. Every little bit we can do "out there" in the world to change the perception and highlight the need for HCR helps.

[bobburgster]

1. Good for you!

You are right, we all need to be more vocal.

[Catshrink]

5. Thanks

it's hard where I live given that there are so many RWers. My area is "South Utah" and full of neoLibertarians. I just assume I'm outnumbered and choose carefully when to open my mouth.

[rucky]

2. There are a few things that make me so mad I want to punch someone.

And for some reason, dissing the USPS is near the top of that list. I don't have any personal connections in the postal service - I guess between them and the library - it's one of the things in government I know I can always count on and get value from. I mean, if you complain about the postal service, then you must really hate government and don't belong in the country - much less the post office.

[Catshrink]

3. I know what you mean

I was torn between taking them on about HCR or asking if they wanted their rates to go up so they wouldn't have to wait in line so long every now and then.

My dad worked for the PO for 33+ years and had a great pension and health insurance with it. He was able to raise 5 kids on his income. I don't like hearing it dissed either!

[MadMaddie]

4. Don't forget the Republicans at one time were talking about

privatizing the PO and that would have been a mess.

[CrispyQ]

9. I feel the same.

A few months ago I was in the Post Office. It was busy, but every station was attended by a postal worker. Two people behind me started to complain about the line & other typical whining crap about the PO. I turned around, flashed everyone behind me a nice smile & said, "UPS is just down the block. And Kinkos, which has FedEx, is just another block further." Then I turned back to the front of the line again. Once I was at the counter, the clerk said, very softly, "Thank you for that!"

[malaise]

6. Funny I use the US post office mostly during the Christmas rush

and find them unbelievably efficient. There are long lines in banks, supermarkets and at Walmart and several other stores so why were they attacking the PO.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Good for you!

We need intelligent folk like yourself to sound off now and then!

:hi:

[subterranean]

8. I for one would be very happy if government health insurance is like the PO.

Affordable, reliable, and there when you need it.

[KT2000]

10. thanks for doing that

I just don't get the fear of healthcare being run like the post office. I have great service, the people at the post office are fast and efficient and all have a great sense of humor to boot!

[tigereye]

11. good deal!

Weird how people will make those negative comments and then when you talk to them, they stop and think about the complexity of it.

[HuckleB]

12. Great job!

You're an inspiration. Thanks for sharing your story.

:fistbump:

[drm604]

13. The two examples I always hear people using are the USPS and the DMV,

and I've had little or no problem with either of them. So why do they use them as examples?

[FatDave]

20. They've got nothing on the Sprint store.

Course, that goes against the "business does everything better" meme.

[JackRiddler]

25. The power of libertarian mythology.

[drm604]

27. Exactly.

They start with the assumption that government services are inherently and unavoidably inefficient and shoddy. They have no proof of this, but it's a necessary part of their philosophy.

[AndyA]

14. Thanks for speaking up.

I think it helps. People need to understand that just because things are OK for them right now, that could all change in the blink of an eye. Obviously, health care insurers can't be depended on to do what's best for the patient. There's no way they can make the profits they make if they put patient care first.

And for that reason alone, health care needs to be overhauled.

[pundaint]

15. We should be so lucky.

[WhiteTara]

16. they must have forgotten

the PO was privatized some years ago.

[HopeHoops]

17. For 44 cents they will pick up a letter in front of my house and deliver it anywhere in the USA.

If healthcare could be that great a deal, I'm all for it!!!

[Catshrink]

18. +1

[Blue State Blues]

19. Took the words right out of my keyboard.

[MSchreader]

28. Exactly, and in addition...

They charge half of what those oh-so-wonderful private competitors charge to do the same work, their staff is much more knowledgeable, and have a wider range of service available.

Wait in line, you say? Lines go where the people go. There's a reason you never see long lines at the UPS Store or FedEx Office: those places are designed mainly for quick drop off (and usually no kind of pick up at all), not full service. Sure, they offer full service, but it's usually done by someone working part-time, making just above minimum wage and getting no benefits -- benefits like ... health care! -- and just as concerned about your package as they are about what the Pope is having for lunch today.

People go to the Post Office because, even though they might have to stand in line, they know their package will be handled by trained, experienced postal workers and, most importantly, it will get to its destination on time. And when it comes down to it, when people have the option of experiencing a health care system that is not run for profit, they'll be willing to stand in lines for that, too.

In the end, all private-run health care is like using UPS to mail a letter: overpriced, underserviced, unreliable and discriminatory.

[pitohui]

21. good for you catshrink

i have a wonderful post office in my neighborhood, i have to say, if health care worked like the po it would be a dream!

and for people (such as myself for many many years) who can get no care at all under the current system or who can't get care unless they are willing to beggar their family -- things have just GOT to change

[earth mom]

22. FYI-The U.S.P.S. is the most efficient postal system in the world.

I wish people would quit spreading that bullshit. :argh:

[rockymountaindem]

26. It beats the pants off Canada Post

The only two other postal services I have experience with are the Dutch system and Mali (sending letters to friends). Let's just say that with Mali I was impressed stuff got there in 3 weeks. They're doing just about as well as Canada Post did in sending stuff home to the US while I was up there. Only I expect better from Canada.

[dbmk]

36. I don't think you need to put the postal part in there

Afaik it is one of the most efficient companies across all types of business.

[donheld]

23. !

[JackRiddler]

24. Hm, post office delivers mail reliably six days a week...

Drop a letter in a box, 99 percent of the time it reaches a destination one or two days later. Less than 1 in 1000 will be lost. And it costs what, 44 cents?! If you have to wait on line it sucks, but they have a bad rap, all I can say.

[Touchdown]

29. I have a routine at the PO, DMV, etc. when someone gripes about long lines.

It's easy and shuts them up.

"Well, this is what you get with lower taxes." A shrug usually drives it home. They have no response to it.

[Catshrink]

31. I love it!

[EndersDame]

30. I can count on my letters getting to Gonzales Tx from Austin overnight

And my mail carrier Roberto is one of the friendliest people who I have had the pleasure of making acquaintances with. He is always in a good mood and clearly loves his job.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

32. I'm always amused when people use the DMV and the post office as examples of govt. inefficiency

The post office delivers mail to every address in the entire U.S. daily for 42 cents for a letter and even less for other classes of mail.

NO private contractor would do that. Look at what UPS and FedEx charge to deliver documents.

The DMV varies by state. It is inefficient in Minnesota, but that's because it's contracted out. I was stunned when I was given a ratty looking piece of paper as my temporary driver's license and told that my real license would come in the mail two weeks later.

When my purse was pickpocketed in Oregon and I lost my driver's license, it took me all of 30 minutes to get a new laminated copy, because they had a computer image of my original license on file in the office.

Those people are just repeating right-wing talking points without thinking, and it is a nationwide right-wing talking point.

Never mind the fact that NEITHER the Senate nor the House is "government health care," and that's precisely what's wrong with them.

[gmoney]

34. Psst! It's 44 cents now...

no wonder you're getting stuff returned postage due! ;)

Also, FedEx and UPS are always throwing "fuel surcharges" onto their published rates, which is misleading. The USPS has to absorb fuel increases until they can get another 2 or 3 cent rate increase put through. THAT is why they are operating at something of a deficit.

but I agree with the rest of your post!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

35. I buy my stamps at the local food coop, and they stock only books of "forever" stamps

so I don't pay much attention to the individual face value.

[lonestarnot]

33. Know the enemy! Silence.

http://s0.ilike.com/play#Green+Day:Know+Your+Enemy:129144962:m29222631

[Ikonoklast]

37. Remind them that at least they would have a line to stand in.

With no health insurance of any kind many don't even have the privilege of doing that.

For the right to accessible health care, and seeing a doctor, people would gladly wait in line.

Too many take too much for granted. Most working people are one serious illness away from financial disaster.