CAPSULE COMMENTARY: “The Monopoly of the USPS”

“The United States Postal Service has decided that the Internet is a viable means of communication and commerce. Postmaster General William Henderson is contemplating a campaign to plug the USPS into the fast-paced, ever-evolving electronic community. His ideas include giving everyone an Internet address that would match up with their home address and then hand deliver a printed copy of the email if the person isn’t connected to the Internet. He also is proposing an online auction for surplus goods. What makes the USPS think it can compete in the private sector when it is only in business at all because of its government-granted monopoly on first-class mail? Why have new government-backed email services when hundreds of sites and search engines offer them for free? Why have government auctions when successful auctions already exist and regulate themselves? By entering an arena where it is not protected with the privilege of a government monopoly, old “snail-mail” USPS would be in over its head.”