I think I understand better all this hoopla about the budget, big government, Obamacare, etc. I can thank the post office for the civics lesson.

I sent a package to someone. I paid almost $5.00 for Priority Mail. The package never arrived. My customer wanted to know where his product was. I called the post office. They said they had absolutely no idea where it was. I asked about the tracking number but they said that it was only for “reference.” I asked about the guarantee to deliver the package in 3-5 business days. I was told that the guarantee isn’t a guarantee, rather it was a reasonable assumption; additionally the 3-5 days was simply a reasonable guess, that it might take up to two weeks. I told them that it had been two weeks and I was told, “Then your package is lost.” I asked how we could “find” it. I was informed that finding it was simply impossible. I asked about reimbursement. I was told I didn’t have insurance on the package. I replied that I thought insurance was for damage. No, I was told, it was for loss, they probably wouldn’t pay for damage because that was the risk I assumed in using their service. When I asked if insurance was necessary to ensure that my packages would be delivered, I was told that was correct.

So, I pay Priority postage that is supposed to be guaranteed to be delivered, and delivered within 3-5 days only to be told that I was paying for the privilege of using the mail service and the guarantee isn’t a guarantee but simply a reasonable faith guess. If I wanted my mail delivered I needed to buy additional insurance. Otherwise if my package is delivered it is sheer fortune and I should count my lucky stars. That is not blackmail, nor theft. It is my contribution to the ongoing delivery of everyone else’s mail.

I think I get it…