Guest Author - Lin

On June 30, 2002, US stamp rates increased from 34 cents/letter to 37 cents/letter. Postcards went from 21 cents to 23 cents. This is necessary for the postal service to cover its cost of doing business, including paying for gas for its fleet of vehicles, and paying health insurance and other costs for it employees.

The volume of mail used by the postal service is growing by 1.6 million new pieces each year. While the use of the internet may cut down on letter writing, it greatly increases the volume of purchased items over the net being mailed to the purchaser.

The USPS is not provided any money by taxes. The rates it charges for mailing items must fully cover all of its costs.