Tuesday rally to generate support for postal service bill

Numerous proposals are under discussion on how to best cure the US Postal Service's financial woes. But Save America's Postal Service thinks HR 1351 -- a bill that would restore overpayments to a pension fund that pre-funds retirement benefits for 75 years within a decade under 2006 legislation -- is the answer. Save America's Postal Service maintains the cost of this "accounts for 100 percent of the agency's red ink" since 2007.

Diane Kassner, a rural carrier from the Rich Hill Post Office and local spokesperson for Save America's Postal Service, said this change would make most other cost-saving measures unnecessary.

"You hear people blaming e-mail" for the USPS financial difficulties, but "in a way that's true, and in a way it's not," Kassner said; because people order items online that are shipped via the USPS, and the shipper often mails out advertising materials as well.

Discontinuing Saturday delivery, among other things, would put some 50,000 part time workers out of work, Kassner said.

To generate more support for the passage of HR 1351, the group is planning a rally at 1901 N. Commercial, Harrisonville, Mo. -- Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's nearest office -- 4-5:30 p.m., Sept. 27. Community members are welcome to join in the rally, Kassner said.