Who is serving who? U.S. Postal Service needs to be operated by real world rules; bonuses, pay are out control; hike in stamp price is outrageous

The Washington Times reports that a congressional hearing will be held on the big bonus and a 40 percent hike in pay for the Postmaster General -- who just last month told lawmakers that U.S. Postal Service could not keep up with costs and might cut out one day of service.

The Postmaster also recently announced a 2-cent hike in the price of a stamp. But never does the Postal Service simultaneously announce any cutbacks in employee pay, numbers or benefits -- and all are substantial and not reflective of the real world.

I cannot believe that there is not some entrepreneur out there to start a competing enterprise to the Postal Service. And with so many people laid off, the businessman or woman would have a very educated workforce to labor for less.

The service to consumers from the Postal Service is poor. Americans certainly would flock to new mail service at less cost.

Here is The Times' story:

Congress will hold a hearing next month into why Postmaster General John E. Potter has gotten a nearly 40 percent pay raise since 2006 and was awarded a six-figure incentive bonus last year, even as the U.S. Postal Service faces a multibillion-dollar shortfall that threatens a day of mail delivery.

"Last year, the Postal Service took a loss of nearly $3 billion and recommended that the public take austere cuts in service to allow it to operate, including cutting a day of mail delivery and raising the price of stamps," Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, Massachusetts Democrat, said Friday.

"All things considered, I think most postal customers feel that the huge increase in pay for Mr. Potter is incongruent with the post office's recent performance. I assure you that our subcommittee will look into this matter at a hearing in March," said Mr. Lynch, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee that oversees the Postal Service.

On Tuesday, The Washington Times reported that Mr. Potter had received nearly 40 percent in pay raises since 2006 and about $135,000 in incentive bonuses last year. For fiscal 2008, including increases to the value of his two pensions, Mr. Potter's entire compensation package totaled more than $800,000, according to Postal Service financial records.