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> I'd like to see an argument for saving the USPS that does not depend on nostalgia.

It's relied upon by millions of people to deliver ballots in an election being held in a pandemic less than three months in the future. How about we disassemble it in a non-partisan way a little later?

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We need ballots delivered, but I don't see why the USPS is the only option for delivering them. Why does it have to be the USPS? There are plenty of other companies that are very good at delivering mail.

It’s a federal crime to tamper with USPS mail. If UPS or FedEx decide not to deliver your parcel you may be entitled to a partial refund.

Obviously if state governments made a deal with UPS or FedEx to deliver ballots they would include some stipulations about delivering them.

Besides, the law is no guarantee. The USPS loses plenty of packages. You have no real recourse. What are you going to do, take them to small claims court? Make the government count your ballot anyway (assuming they believe you)? Good luck with that. Such guarantees mean nothing the real world.

Be that as it may, it makes no sense to replace a public service with a rent seeking operation. Improve the public service, don’t give up and part it out.

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