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Rethinking the Postal Service

The Stamp Collecting Report, I'm Lloyd de Vries.

Postmaster General John Potter recently announced a plan for sweeping changes in how 
the U-S Postal Service operates.

At first glance, it doesn't appear the proposal will have much effect on stamp 
collecting, other than the cuts that will affect everybody. This budget crisis isn't 
new, and we've already seen cutbacks.

The U-S is issuing fewer stamps this year, but there are several on-going series that 
aren't likely to end, and some upcoming historical events that can't be ignored, so 
there's not much room there for further cuts. Nationally, the agency probably makes a 
slight profit on stamp sales anyway.

We're seeing fewer ceremonies to introduce new stamps, and fewer postal booths at 
collector shows. Local officials often feel they can't justify the employee overtime, 
even if they make it up in sales.

Of course, these cuts will only affect those who collect NEW U-S stamps. Those who 
collect foreign stamps or earlier U-S issues won't be affected.

I'm Lloyd de Vries of The Virtual Stamp Club. For more on stamps and stamps collecting, 
visit virtual-stamp-club-dot-com.

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