The U.K., Germany and Others Have Privatized Their Postal Service, Would it Work in the U.S.?

(From August 13, 2020) With the appointment of new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a businessman who has donated millions of dollars to Republicans and President Donald Trump's campaign, many have once again raised concerns that an effort to privatize the United States Postal Service is underway.

Although there is not a stated governmental effort to privatize the United States Postal Service, some lawmakers in the U.S.—including Trump—have previously suggested that privatization would be a good option for the cash-strapped USPS as well. DeJoy's actions since taking over in mid-June, which are aimed at cutting costs for the federal agency that is already more than $160 billion in debt, have fueled concerns that he aims to prepare the USPS for privatization. DeJoy has stopped paying overtime to clerks and mail carriers, which has already caused mail delays.

"We are already seeing the impacts of their sabotage. Mail is delayed. I am not exaggerating when I say this is a life-and-death situation. The Post Office is delivering medicine to millions of Americans during a pandemic. It delivers Social Security checks to seniors who rely on those benefits to survive," former Democratic presidential hopeful Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, told Newsweek in an email. (READ MORE at Newsweek)