The United States Postal Service (USPS) and its predecessors laid the groundwork in this country for the exchange of knowledge, promoted the right to freedom of press, and has been ensuring the ability to connect across the country for almost two and a half centuries. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress the power to “establish Post Offices and post Road,” and since ratification the American people have enjoyed a public postal service. But there have been ongoing efforts to privatize all or part of USPS operations. President Trump has indicated his administration would be “looking at it.” Earlier this year, the administration was on the verge of attempting to take control from the USPS board, with uncertain aims. Most recently, former FedEx board member, David Steiner, became the 76th postmaster general. 

If privatized, USPS could be pulled apart and auctioned off to the highest bidder with no regard for the Americans who would be hurt the most. Across the country, the lives of veterans, seniors, postal employees, rural communities, minority-owned small businesses, and many other vulnerable demographics would be shattered by the loss of these affordable services. 

Corporations have tried to corrupt postal services before for their own gain previously and were beaten back, and now it is time to stop them again. The America postal system has been keeping our country connected since July 26, 1775, and should continue to do so for far longer. Contact your lawmakers today to urge them to save the hardworking members of the post office and ensure every ZIP code is served.