Sounds like we'll be stocking up on "Forever" stamps if next January's postal rate increase is approved ("Almost half a buck to send a letter?" Sept. 26). For me, if a 3-cent rate increase on first-class mail helps keep our U.S. Postal Service in business, I'm all for it.
Every time I mail a letter, or send a priority mail package, I consider it a bargain for the superb service we get. And every time I say "hi" to our local mail carrier, I'm thankful for the real people who move the mail and know our neighborhood. (Contrast this to dealing with automated help lines and customer service people half a world away.) And now priority mail has tracking numbers; we can watch step-by-step progress online, up to and including delivery.
The need for rate increases is apparent: increased fuel costs, online bill paying, Internet greeting cards, less bulk mail. But before we complain about paying more to send a birthday card, letter or gift, we need to remember that the Internet moves only electrons, not physical things that we can hold, touch and often cherish.
