Beware of postal ‘experts’

Beware of postal ‘experts’

It is disingenuous of a so- called “expert” to express opinions of fact based on completely erroneous information. James Gattuso of the conservative think-tank Heritage Foundation has done that with his recent Vindicator op-ed about closures of post offices. He merely apes the falsehoods expressed by USPS management and members of the Congress who advocate privatization.

Youngstown is the only example that requires the spotlight of truth. USPS provided figures to the public which showed a savings of over $4 million if such costs were shifted to another location with the closure of the Youngstown P & DC. But the $4 million is not a saving. Since the Youngstown mail is a reality, whether it is moved to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, or Podunk, Iowa. Multiply those costs times the 3,700 sites Mr. Gattuso mentioned and you can see how ridiculous the Congressional, Heritage Foundation, and USPS numbers can be; they are merely using numbers to try and fool the American people with their dog-and pony show manipulated with a some-and-mirrors strategy.

They off-handedly mention that traffic at postal facilities has slowed-without them telling the public that the numbers of businesses, like Walmart, has reached 70,000! Is it any wonder that traffic has slowed? They complain of a loss in mail volume of 20 percent (which is a 5-year total — average loss is about 4-6 percent per year) because of the Internet; yet, they pay huge fees across the nation for monthly e-mail service. Then, add the stamps.com. You kinda feel sorry for their inanity.

If Postmaster General Tom Donahoe and rag-tag conservatives like Jimmy were to join an Indian tribe they would all be known as The Fools Who Speak With Forked Tongue. They are as bad as the drillers (It’s not our fault) who are undoubtedly responsible for all the “minor” earthquakes that were never before centered in Youngstown prior to their drilling. I guess all is well with the editorial staff since the ‘quakes caused no deaths or injuries. Great ambivalence, eh?

John Zordich, Youngstown