Problem, the U.S. Postal Service is considering a stop mail delivery on Saturday in an effort control losses that amounted to $2.8 billion last year and could rise to as much as $6 billion this year.
(read more . . .)

Netflix has created a system that surpasses the speed and quality of the USPS.   Netflix is not delivery packages, but it is transparent that Netflix found a way to streamline the USPS for their profit.  Good business management usually does find a way to make a profit. Something the USPS is lacking.

FedEx and UPS are strong competitors for packaging delivery and USPS never reorganized to adapt the loss of delivery income.  It is the lack of real leadership of the USPS that is loosing money.

It it wasn’t for Netflix I would have no need for USPS daily service.  Bills area accessible online and the occasional letter isn’t delivered by the USPS in a timely manner anyway. If I really need to get a gift, letter or package I go to the USPS directly or pickup by alternative ‘better solutions’ (FedEx, UPS).

Reality

If the USPS wants to stop delivering or make money here are some ideas:

• Deliver just Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
  • Most businesses are not opened on Saturday.
  • Tuesday and Thursday are slow days.
  • Business will have to adapt.
  • The post office can be open on Saturday morning, but there is no delivery.
• Subcontract out to Netflix for packaging in lieu of using the mail service for profit.
  • USPS will not have to worry about pension plans, health care and/or management of personnel.  It is done in every branch of the US government, why not the USPS?
  • If not Netflix the put out an call for submission for estimation. I bet there are allot of companies that would love the challenge of streamlining the USPS.
• Do we need a Inspector General?
  • If we do, he isn’t doing a great job.
  • We still get junk mail.
  • Unless the Inspector General is going to protect us against spam via e-mail, it is a wasted position costing the US tax payer millions a years.
• If a business using the USPS for billing purposes then they will have to pay for the return envelope.
• No more bulk discounts.
  • It is a tax deduction anyway.
  • Budget for the full cost of an envelope and keep track of those receipts.
• Smaller post offices.
  • The USPS stop all those small intimate post offices in the name of consolidation.  But it cost more to heat those mammoth buildings.
  • I personally like a smaller post office.
  • The USPS front desk is always under staffed at the larger ones anyway.
• Privatize the USPS.
  • Everyone else does it better, so pass the responsibility to those who are ready for the challenge.

Will I forever receive emails I do not want? I stopped all the other political party emails, except from the Libertarian Party, without a problem.

I know how to use email and I keep checking my inbox, spam folder and outbox for an email with the precious 4-digit code. But no luck. Do I have to go through all 9999 possible combinations?

I started this process Mon 7/7/2008 2:01 PM (CST) and still no email for my precious 4-digit code.

I feel like an ass.

—————- UPDATE —————-

I was sick of waiting, so I bookmarked the page, I finally got that email with the code, almost 24 hours from the original request.

It took over 24 hours to remove my email from their list and now it will take another 12 hours (doubt that) to take affect. The Democratic Party has the poorest programmers! I have been using listservs since the late 80′s. To remove yourself was a simple SIGNOFF command and the removal was instant!

How Long Do I Have To Wait?

Answer: Longer than it took you to sign up.

Now, this “keep up the Jones” has come to bite our royal arses.

Here is the big problem, we are a Capitalistic Republic Democracy. What does that mean to us as a country? It means money will always be the priority to our elected officials.

FYI – Did you know that none of the Presidential candidates (not one) did not live in a home worth less that $2 million dollars (Obama is worth at least 2 million while his neighbors is only around $345)? Each candidate in their rhetoric “relate to the working class”, but they don’t. They really don’t.  They are happy there is a working class, welfare class or else they would just be one of us.  They would not be anything special, at least in their mind.

Also, if it is not about Money it is about party platform, which panders to the richest (always). And finally it is left to a vote of the majority, and what 51% of the population dictate to the other 49%. So, why has the alternative vehicles not been nationally promoted or viewable (until recently) in the news . . . The government.

The government pays almost 3 million each year for the big automobile companies to spend on advertising. The big gas gussling companies want us to be happy with the substandard car we buy and buy again.

Solutions: If you only drive about 40 miles a day, get an electric car (45 miles on full charge) which is about $12,500. For longer trips or vacation… train and renting a car locally. If you do not like the gas prices, don’t pay for gas. (e-ride, zap world)

Jenny and I have a biodiesel/diesel car, which gets 55 mpg city and about 65 mpg highway. We take public transportation 4-5 days a week, especially weekends. (Get your own) In fact, we just got in the mail, VW wants to buy back our car, due to demand.  It was tempting, but we plan on giving the car to Jenny’s mom in two years when we get the VW GTI TDI.

It is about a lifestyle change.  It is about making better choices.  Try not driving for a month. There is a guy in Wisconsin is taking action, riding his bike (9 miles to work daily) and only car pooling “if it on the way”.  (read more . . .)

Alternative fuels being used by cars available now:

• hydrogen
• electric
• natural renewable resources or bio-diesels
• Solar is functional, but only way to get a solar car is to build your own (YouTube Video, Solar Powered Car Kit)
• Wind Power is a great alternative to the gas/electric (Venturi, i-MiEV)

How much will you spend in gas each week before you take action to leave your car at home? I guess that is my question… What is the most you are willing to spend on gas, a week, before you leave your car at home?  Car pool, walk, bike, public transportation are great options. I know that many live in very rural areas that make it almost impossible to commute without a car. But how much did you spend on your car?  Could you not, while you can, sell your gasoline only vehicle for something more practical?

Putting in a full tank of gas at $50 a week is $200 a month. That makes it $2600 a year or $13000 for 5 years. What can you do with $13000?  You could have bought an electric car.

A little history, Jenny and I, our third date was a Minnesota vs Detroit baseball game @ Detroit.  This is Minnesota vs Detroit @ Minnesota.  We memorialized this day with a purchase of hats, Jenny’s blue Rhea’s tan, both with worn lettering and over priced.  The one reason for the hats: bad hair day.  If you noticed bath / shower was not included in our Sunday morning.  But we cute in the hats.

We got our usual food (2 veggie burgers, dt cokes and water) and picked our seats. I sharpened the pencils (we are stat girls) and with excitement the game started.

It started poorly. First inning Detroit 6 runs, and went through the entire batting order.

But Minnesota came back, slowly. But in the 7th inning Minnesota caught up and took the lead.  Apparently it was very exciting. I was in the bathroom.

Minnesota 7, Detroit 6

May 4, 2008 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Detroit 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 10 1 Minnesota 0 0 0 1 2 0 4 0 X 7 9 1

Reaching beyond general iPhone features, such as mail, maps, weather, PIM, and web browser, LifeInPocket(TM) also makes available a GPS/address-based directory offering over 14 million points of interest. It features not only turn-by-turn navigation with voice guidance, but instant location messaging, family locator and much more.

Unlike iPhone’s limited sync capability, LifeInPocket offers address book sync/import/export with Yahoo!, Gmail, MSN, Hotmail, Outlook Express, Palm Desktop, etc. The user can one-click on those synced contacts to “call,” to “mail” and to “navigate” on your phone.

This is the only highly integrated mobile application/services platform of its kind, at this time, LifeInPocket not only transforms middle-of-the-road cell phones into a “iPhone plus” powerhouse.

Could this be the iPhone killer?