Hacker News Reader

While it is true the USPS has requirements that no other business has, it also has benefits that no other business has. These include, but are not limited to:

* A box for its use at every residence in the United States

* A federal monopoly; it is unlawful for any company to carry a letter in the United States and charge a similar price to USPS rates. See here: http://about.usps.com/publications/pub542/welcome.htm

View on HN

> * A box for its use at every residence in the United States

There are plenty of places that don't have a box. That box is paid for privately and not required.

> A federal monopoly; it is unlawful for any company to carry a letter in the United States and charge a similar price to USPS rates.

You got that wrong, see here: http://about.usps.com/publications/pub542/pub542_ch1_001.htm...

> * A box for its use at every residence in the United States

Not even close. I've lived many places without a box. If you're too expensive to deliver to, you don't get a box and you have to drive to the nearest post office and pick up your mail yourself. That's what a PO Box is.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com