Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > USA
Reload this Page >

UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?

UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?

Old Sep 16th 2013, 8:45 pm
  #46  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Sally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?

Originally Posted by steveq
But that wasn't the comment. We'd covered less bright rich kids (and to a lesser extent, those with special needs) in my comment. Plenty of private schools take kids with special needs.
Do they? I thought there can be problems with their not wanting the statistics spoiled.

Fact is, private schools like private everything else will only want the profit-making part of the system. You would still have to have provision for poor, low-achieving and/or misbehaving kids. If you had a private correctional school, for example, it would still be paid for via taxation.
Sally Redux is offline  
Old Sep 16th 2013, 9:00 pm
  #47  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Michael's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 10,678
Michael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?

Originally Posted by Steve_
And if they'd stop printing $1 bills, and changed all the vending machines to take the $1 coin, I'd be able to buy a can of pop a lot more easily.
Easier said then done. If the public doesn't want it, they won't use it. Prior to 1964, the half dollar coin was common but when they coined the Kennedy half dollar, it was hoarded and by the time there was enough in circulation, no one wanted to use it.

In theory, not only should there be $1 coins, there should be $5, $10, $20, and possibly $50 and $100 dollar coins based on inflation since silver dollar coins were common in the 1800s.

Although many attempts have been made to reintroduce the $1 coin, it would take several years for the $1 dollar bill to disappear from circulation even if the printing presses stopped printing them immediately and during that time, there would be a lot of angry voters as they are forced to use a $1 coin. People are creatures of habit and don't like change forced upon them.

Besides the dollar bill being eliminated, the penny should have been eliminated long ago since it has no value. Items could still be priced to the nearest penny or even below such as gas prices which are priced to the nearest 1/10th but when charged or change is given, charging pennies more or less has no value.

Last edited by Michael; Sep 16th 2013 at 9:11 pm.
Michael is offline  
Old Sep 16th 2013, 9:17 pm
  #48  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Sally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?

Originally Posted by Michael
Easier said then done. If the public doesn't want it, they won't use it. Prior to 1964, the half dollar coin was common but when they coined the Kennedy half dollar, it was hoarded and by the time there was enough in circulation, no one wanted to use it.

In theory, not only should there be $1 coins, there should be $5, $10, $20, and possibly $50 and $100 dollar coins based on inflation since silver dollar coins were common in the 1800s.

Although many attempts have been made to reintroduce the $1 coin, it would take several years for the $1 dollar bill to disappear from circulation even if the printing presses stopped printing them immediately and during that time, there would be a lot of angry voters as they are forced to use a $1 coin. People are creatures of habit and don't like change forced upon them.

Besides the dollar bill being eliminated, the penny should have been eliminated long ago since it has no value. Items could still be priced to the nearest penny or even below such as gas prices which are priced to the nearest 1/10th but when charged or change is given, charging pennies more or less has no value.
Why don't people like $ coins? They are a bit big I suppose. Maybe time for an overhaul of all the denominations.
Sally Redux is offline  
Old Sep 16th 2013, 9:31 pm
  #49  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Michael's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 10,678
Michael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?

Originally Posted by Sally Redux
Why don't people like $ coins? They are a bit big I suppose. Maybe time for an overhaul of all the denominations.
After the Kennedy dollar was put into circulation, they later decided that it was too big for their pocket. If the US government would resize all coins similar to the Euro but only better, acceptance would probably be easier although they would probably initially complain that they couldn't determine value by sight or feel.

Last edited by Michael; Sep 16th 2013 at 9:38 pm.
Michael is offline  
Old Sep 16th 2013, 9:32 pm
  #50  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Sally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?

Originally Posted by Michael
After the Kennedy dollar was put into circulation, they later decided that it was too big for their pocket. If the US government would resize all coins like the Euro, acceptance would probably be easier although they would probably initially complain that they couldn't determine value by sight or feel.
They could make them all look and feel different from eachother.
Sally Redux is offline  
Old Sep 16th 2013, 9:35 pm
  #51  
Bob
BE Site Lead
 
Bob's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,167
Bob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?

Originally Posted by Michael
After the Kennedy dollar was put into circulation, they later decided that it was too big for their pocket. If the US government would resize all coins like the Euro, acceptance would probably be easier although they would probably initially complain that they couldn't determine value by sight or feel.
Because doing that with notes right now is so easy to do...

Speaking of, there must be a saving in dodgy fraud if the notes weren't so easy to wash and reprint...hell, even bad fakes sprayed with cheap own brand hair spray can get around the black pen check.
Bob is offline  
Old Sep 16th 2013, 9:41 pm
  #52  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Michael's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 10,678
Michael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?

Originally Posted by Bob
Because doing that with notes right now is so easy to do...

Speaking of, there must be a saving in dodgy fraud if the notes weren't so easy to wash and reprint...hell, even bad fakes sprayed with cheap own brand hair spray can get around the black pen check.
It also cost the government much more to print bills than minting coins. Bills have a very short time limit in circulation compared to coins. Coins can be in circulation for possibly hundreds of years but bills only a few years before they have to be destroyed and reprinted.

Last edited by Michael; Sep 16th 2013 at 9:44 pm.
Michael is offline  
Old Sep 17th 2013, 1:36 am
  #53  
Account Closed
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
scrubbedexpat099 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?

Originally Posted by Bob
So you'd rather ring up and shop around while your being robbed or have your house burn down, to find the best price of someone coming by to help out?

Okay.
Last time I checked fire and alarm systems were not supplied by the Government But yes I have shopped around for them. I guess I also shopped around for a Large Dog and Gun.

When it comes to burglary you do need the Police Report to make a claim on your Insurance usually.
scrubbedexpat099 is offline  
Old Sep 17th 2013, 12:52 pm
  #54  
 
Pulaski's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,397
Pulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?

Originally Posted by Sally Redux
Private companies will only be interested in profits, obviously. .....
And private companies maximize profits by having the greatest number of happy customers, whereas with government provided services you take what you're given and like it or lump it! .... Have you been to the DMV recently? Or, for that matter, queued at the post office?

And on the subject of service at the post office, I applied for my first US passport last winter and couldn't get a response from four of five post offices I tried to schedule a passport interview at, I left messages at a couple but never got a response, and two others had no way of even leaving a message or contacting a person! Dämn, that was a painful process .... FWIW I eventually got service from a rural post office out in the sticks that processed passport applications only on a walk-up basis.

Last edited by Pulaski; Sep 17th 2013 at 1:17 pm.
Pulaski is offline  
Old Sep 17th 2013, 1:04 pm
  #55  
Account Closed
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
scrubbedexpat099 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?



Since when have people working for the Man given a damn?
scrubbedexpat099 is offline  
Old Sep 17th 2013, 1:56 pm
  #56  
Account Closed
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
scrubbedexpat099 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?



This seems relevant.
scrubbedexpat099 is offline  
Old Sep 17th 2013, 4:15 pm
  #57  
Grumpy Know-it-all
 
Steve_'s Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Steve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?

Originally Posted by Michael
Although many attempts have been made to reintroduce the $1 coin, it would take several years for the $1 dollar bill to disappear from circulation even if the printing presses stopped printing them immediately and during that time, there would be a lot of angry voters as they are forced to use a $1 coin. People are creatures of habit and don't like change forced upon them.

Besides the dollar bill being eliminated, the penny should have been eliminated long ago since it has no value. Items could still be priced to the nearest penny or even below such as gas prices which are priced to the nearest 1/10th but when charged or change is given, charging pennies more or less has no value.
O Canada...
Steve_ is offline  
Old Sep 17th 2013, 5:00 pm
  #58  
Grumpy Know-it-all
 
Steve_'s Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Steve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?

Looks like I was right.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
USPS press release.pdf (321.7 KB, 86 views)
Steve_ is offline  
Old Sep 17th 2013, 5:10 pm
  #59  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Michael's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 10,678
Michael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond reputeMichael has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?

Originally Posted by Steve_
Looks like I was right.
Alaska likes to think it's residents are independent and self supporting but they get $5 back for every $1 they pay in taxes to the federal government.
Michael is offline  
Old Sep 18th 2013, 12:19 am
  #60  
Grumpy Know-it-all
 
Steve_'s Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Steve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: UK Royal Mail to be Privatized.... Will this likely be the way of USPS?

So my letter arrived from Yellowknife. Just over two weeks for a simple letter to travel 800 miles, so around 50 miles a day on average.

You see how much the quality of service improves when Canada Post doesn't operate at a loss? I mean it's just truly outstanding.
Steve_ is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.