Last month my post office was closed. Earlier this week we learned our main downtown post office is on the list for possible closing. It's a small town of 50,000 and the County seat. Predictably, many are upset. I only rarely use a post office, primarily to mail a gift. I pay nearly all my bills through direct withdrawal or by phone w/ a debit card. I communicate w/ family and friends via email, cell or Skype. I do send occasional cards of celebration. My mail is delivered and picked up. I purchase my few stamps from the neighborhood convenience store. In my professional life all my employers used stamp machines from Pitney Bowes. Wave's esign, or something similar will eventually be mainstream. So I wonder, do I (we) need a post office per se. At Christmas it might be a zoo w/o one, but I don't know. More and more people are buying gifts on line that ship via Fed Ex or UPS. How much money will closing post offices save? Don't know. I remember back in the early 60's living in Carmel Calif. we didn't have mailmen, everyone picked up their mail at the post office. That surely was much less expensive than delivery, but could only work in very small communities. Years back a good friend was a walking postman. Normally he finished his route by noon and spent the remainder of his shift sipping beer at the neighborhood tavern. I doubt that happens today.
Anyway, tons less mail is sent today than years past and its likely to decrease, something has to be done or "forever" stamps will be a buck. I think I'll get by just fine w/o our downtown post office.
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