Word on the USPS (featuring an interview with my mailman, George)

With all the hoopla surrounding Lance and the USPS team, I started thinking. I'm pretty sure I may be the only person who stays awake at night thinking about things like this (well, since they dumped the team, somebody else must have been thinking about this too)... But isn't the USPS part of the government? Why would the government sponsor a bike team? I was pondering this for a few days, and even got some misinformation ("the USPS is a government contractor, not part of the government.") I was fairly certain that that was wrong. So, I decided to go straight to the source.

Jodi: Hi George! Do you mind if I ask you something?
George: No, not at all.
J: The USPS is part of the federal government, right?
G: Yes. I'm a federal employee.
J: Right, but I mean the Postal Service, that's the government, not a contractor?
G: Correct, but we are self-supporting.
J: What does that mean?
G: It means we are supported by the sale of stamps, we don't get money from taxes.
J: Oh, interesting. Ok, I have one more question. If the USPS is part of the government, what benefit to them is there in sponsoring a bicycle team?
G: Well, it gives exposure. You know, there is no competition for stamps, but for other services, like overnight and packages, there are other services, like FedEx and UPS.
J: I see! This all makes sense to me know. Thanks so much, George.
G: You're welcome!

So, there you have it.

By the way, my mailman George has worked for the USPS for over thirty years and is eligible to retire, but is not interested yet, because he likes his job so much.

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