Congress Must Act NOW

Here is a suggestion to all members of Congress upon a timely return to hammer out the second stimulus bill. Actually, it is two-fold. First, since the United States Postal Service is managed through Congressional oversight, perhaps Congress should separate the proposed financial aid to the Postal Service into its own piece of legislation—and then let every Congressman and Senator state flatly where they stand, while allowing the Stimulus package to go forward. The Postal Service has been losing money since 2006, when Congress passed the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. The act effectively hog-tied the service from keeping up with costs and revenues decreased by the internet. Before that date and legislation, the Postal Service actually turned a profit, modest but still “in the black.” It will take Congress to help turn this around. But for now, ideally, of course, if Congress were to fund the service through the election and beyond, it would help assure a safe, legal and free election in 2020. It would also guarantee continued postal service to the millions of Americans who depend upon their men and women in blue for many day to day needs. Second, Congress should join with the Postal Inspector General in investigating new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on charges of a conflict of interest. Not only is DeJoy completely inexperienced to head the postal service, he was a major contributor to Trump's campaign, a crony. Modeling after his favorite President Andrew Jackson, Trump is using the spoils system to reward DeJoy. But wait, there's more. DeJoy and his wife are reported to have invested between $30 and 75 million dollars in competitors to the post office, including the United Parcel Service. Such claims imply a serious conflict of interest and Congress must find out the truth—and act accordingly. One last thought: the Postmaster General is no longer a member of the President's cabinet and therefore can be appointed without the approval of Congress. Maybe that should change. Whatever Congress decides to do or not to do, the rest of us must find a way to make our vote count. It took centuries to enfranchise everyone eighteen or older. We cannot, should not lie down and give up that hard earned right.