Stamps Are Going Up On Sunday

On Sunday the price of a first class stamp will go up by one penny to 46 cents. The U.S. Postal Service needs the extra revenue to try to close a huge deficit created in part by 2006 congressional mandate, under which it has to pre-fund healthcare benefits for future retirees to the tune of $75 Billion. Speculation is that some of those who voted for the mandate did so with the idea of putting the USPS out of business so that it could be handled by private industry. Regardless of your political philosophy there is no doubt that sending a letter from Billings to Ottumwa, Iowa or McAllen, Texas would cost much more if that happens. I for one have no problem paying 46 cents or 56 cents for that matter.