To my fellow 99%-ers,
I am writing in regards to the Post Office closures happening nationally. This is a cause the Occupy movement needs to focus on. The founding principles of the USPS was for it to be a ‘cornerstone of freedom’, to enable a free flow of information, connect people, and most importantly, to preserve the sanctity of privacy. Currently, with all our technological wonders of communication, the USPS is the only ‘written’ form in which people may actually communicate privately. Mail is not allowed to be opened unless it is ‘Returned Undeliverable’.
When the postal system was conceived, private communications which would not allow the British to be privy to a flow of information that allowed this country to become independent and free. We all know that this privacy does not truly exist on the web, our cell phones and other forms of digital communications. Look at how ads on facebook and Google’s changes in privacy allow them to monitor us. Most people may think of USPS in terms of junk mail and bills. They don’t see the value of maintaining the postal system when in fact, it is of vital importance. It is as important as our right to bear arms. The USPS is a ‘Public Service’ to the American people NOT a business. It belongs to the people. It belongs to the 99%, Why should the 1% decide which government provided ‘Public Services’ we can and cannot have. Many businesses, non-profits, and other public services rely upon the postal system. In the state of New Hampshire, the DMV requires that drivers go to Concord to renew their drivers licenses. They are issued a temporary license and then the ‘real’ license is sent in the mail to verify their identity and residency. This is just one example.
The USPS Processing & Distribution Center in White River Junction Vermont is slated to be closed, as are 15 post offices that rural communities here in Vermont rely upon. Once the WRJ Processing & Distribution Center closes, a package mailed from Norwich Vermont to Woodstock Vermont will go to Burlington, Manchester and Boston before reaching its destination. This is inefficient and ineffective, it will make delivery timing unreliable, and will most certainly be the harbinger of poor quality of service and many more PO closures. The WRJ Processing & Distribution Center closure will put 245 people out of work in a month. Across the country one-quarter million people are slated to lose their jobs. We are being told that the USPS is not profitable, but this is a fake crisis that has been created by Congress to drive it into bankruptcy. Cuts in service and jobs will result in an increased privatization of postal products and shipping.
Other folks who have been protesting the USPS closures since last Fall in Vermont attended a conference at Goddard last weekend. They were told that Occupy does not recognize this USPS movement or people as an entity. How is this different than what the 1% is saying to the 99%. I was rather surprised when I heard this was the Occupy representatives response. The issue of the USPS closures affects EVERYONE in this country. I have already sent an e-mail to Yeshua (yeshua[at]occupycentralvt.org) two days ago and have not heard a response. I have offered, in protesting the closures, to attend to the social media aspect. It seems redundant to create a new facebook page, wordpress, twitter, etc. when these already exist and the audience already exists. Most people are unaware of the post office closures or their subsequent impact it will have on their lives. And as I mentioned before, USPS is a ‘Public Service’ that we, the people, have empowered the government to operate. It is time again for the government to be working for the common good of the people, instead of against us.
I am asking that the Occupy Vermont group begin a focused campaign addressing the post office closures. Timeliness is important in sharing this information, engaging people and allowing them the opportunity to take action. Some people are resigned to the closures because the 1% have done a great job in disillusioning people and not letting them know all that is happening. We need to activate a dialogue and have this on everyone’s mind. People need to know what they can do to voice their opinion and stop this from happening or not. At the very least, giving them the opportunity to make an informed decision. The free flow of private communication is of obvious value to everyone. We cannot allow the 1% to take control of this freedom and right. Many in Congress, and on Wallstreet who financially influence those members of Congress, seem to have forgotten that ‘serving the public’ is a privilege. From one 99%-er to another, please make this a priority and embrace us other 99%-ers and this national issue.
For more information: http://www.savethepostoffice.com
Thank you.
Nichole Hastings
941.268.0257
nichole.l.hastings[at]gmail.com
