OK, let’s take a look at things. During the past two years, our industry has had to contend with three rounds of postal rate increases. The U.S. Postal Service’s finances continue to reflect the dour state of the nation’s economy and the anachronistic nature of our postal institution. In all likelihood, business mailers will be looking at another rate increase request early in 2003, with final rates probably implemented in the first months of 2004. From present accounts, that hike may be a whopper.
If there was anything accomplished from this past legislative year, it was to learn that the hope for relief via legislative reform was no hope at all. It also seems as if the Bush administration has awakened to the significance a postal fiscal meltdown could have to the federal fisc and the economy. The talk now is of the possibility of a presidential commission being established sometime early next year to study and make recommendations on the USPS’ future.
However, no business mailer should hold his or her breath expecting some commission to spare them the agony of what lies ahead. First, it will take several months for a commission to discern the nature of the challenge it faces, and to determine the scope and manner in which potential solutions can be crafted. If experience has taught us anything, it has been that there is no Lone Ranger on the horizon with some magical silver bullet that will put to rest the villain that threatens us.
The months ahead, from a postal perspective, are a safe bet to be tumultuous. Certainty will remain an illusive goal, and businesses will have to feel their way through a minefield of uncertainty that could destroy any of our enterprises.
These are the days when mailers need to look to those who can help them make it through troubled times
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