New Postal Rates still a bargain

New postal rates go into effect today. Mailing a standard 1-ounce letter will now cost $.41. For that same price, you can buy the "Forever" stamp, which will always be valid to send a first class letter. I think this is a bargain. Is there anyone else who can deliver a letter anywhere in the United States for $.41 in a couple days time? Certainly not Mexico. It took them 3 months to get a post card back here from my vacation, for 3 times the money.

There's a much bigger change in postal rates for businesses. The Postal Service is instituting a new pricing system that focuses on the shape of an item rather than just its weight. While mailing a standard 1-ounce letter will cost an additional 2 cents, sending an odd-shaped postcard or a package could cost as much as 20 percent more. Catalogs' postal rates are going up as much as 40 percent.

The reason behind the change is large or oddly shaped packages must be handled by a person, increasing the costs.

The direct mail business is crying foul, but why should the USPS, and taxpayers, subsidize the stuffing of our mailboxes with junk? Be ready for an influx of on-line and e-mail ads, because they're a lot cheaper now.