Wednesday - April 01, 2009

A partial solution

City Calls On California To Give Citizens Choice Over Junk Mail

SAN FRANCISCO, March 31—The San Francisco Board of Supervisors today passed a resolution calling on California to create a Do Not Mail Registry giving its citizens the choice to stop receiving unwanted junk mail.

Though non-binding, the resolution represents the first time American lawmakers have withstood pressure from the direct mail industry and the U.S. Postal Service to side with the majority of Americans.

Sponsored by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, the board approved the resolution by a 9-2 vote.

“Until now, junk mailers have stifled all efforts to give Americans what they want: an enforceable, comprehensive solution to junk mail’s waste and annoyance” said ForestEthics Executive Director Todd Paglia. “San Francisco is the first city in the United States to take political action against junk mail, marking the beginning of a long-awaited government intervention to protect citizens from relentless and predatory junk mailers.”

Bills calling for Do Not Mail Registries have failed in more than 20 states, despite widespread frustration with junk mail. A 2007 Zogby poll revealed that 89% of Americans support the creation of a national registry.

“Reducing junk mail is in keeping with our nation’s efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and lead more sustainable lifestyles,” said Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, upon passage of his Do Not Mail Resolution. “Just as Do Not Call overcame industry opposition to become the most popular consumer rights bill in history, I hope that this resolution will empower our representatives on the state and federal level to represent their constituents on this issue.”

I have a much better solution, but nobody listens: eliminate the bulk mail rate at the US Post Office. There was NO junk mail before it existed. And now, every year the price of stamps goes up, the Post Office is overwhelmed with work, two thirds of what shows up in your mailbox is crap, think of the trees, etc.

There is no reason on earth why the Post Office should essentially underwrite commercial advertising. If some schmoo wants to send me some ad, let him pay full price, just like I do. Kill the Bulk Rate and you’ll have to lay off lots of PO workers. Hey, too bad. They’re just as bloated as the rest of government. But with 2/3 less work, the ones left will be able to handle the job. And let’s put a 10 year moritorium on the price of stamps too. Gosh, the Post Office is losing money? Tough shit. Tighten your belts like the rest of us. Or get government out of the private sector entirely and let UPS or somebody else do the job ... faster, and for less.

Posted by Drew458     on 04/01/2009 at 04:34 PM   
Filed Under: • Environment • News-Briefs •  
• Comments (6) • Trackbacks(0)  Permalink •  

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It's been a long strange trip without you Skipper, but thanks for pointing us in the right direction and giving us a swift kick in the behind to get us going. Keep lookin' down on us, will ya? Thanks.

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