Anti-Free Market legislation is the problem? Silly me, I thought it was thousands of people who are collecting federal (plump) pensions for doing postal work, many retiring in their late 40's / early 50's and collecting the entire time until death. Those crazy pension plans rarely exist in the private sector, at least not for this type of work. Now the brilliant plan is to buy out (lump sum) or offer early retirement (pension) to 18% of the work force. Why are paying out lump sums - if the work isn't there, the work isn't there.
And somehow the government back agency is losing 15billion a year when UPS is making money. And no, they are not cheaper (now) on most packages when insurance is included, which is the case on UPS packages, but is a separate cost with USPS, min. $3.05 per package.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/us/po ... .html?_r=0
I've likely shipped more FED EX/UPS than any non-business owner on this forum, so yeah, i'ved used 'em. As for damage and reliability, you ask 100 of us whose damaged or lost more packages and you'll likely get a 50/50 split, UPS vs USPS, however it is FAR EASIER to collect for lost or damaged packages from UPS than USPS. I've used both a few hundred times this past year, a few thousand over the past 10 years.
To be clear - I don't love UPS or FED EX or DHL or SPEEDY or anyone else, have had problems with them all. The defining characteristic is that the government is not involved in those businesses. They don't directly affect me. However, when congress has to meet every year, on OUR DOLLARS, those of us who pay federal taxes, then yes, that affects me (and you) and yes, we should complain...loudly.