The Role of the United States Postal Service in Public Safety and Security
The Role of the United States Postal Service in Public Safety and Security

Author: Lois M. Davis

Publisher: Rand Corporation

Published: 2008-11-19

Total Pages: 221

ISBN-13: 0833046608

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The United States Postal Service has long held a statutory monopoly to deliver mail to mailboxes (known as the Mailbox Rule). Critics have argued against the Mailbox Rule on anti-monopoly and property rights grounds. But relaxing the Mailbox Rule may affect public safety and security. This study assesses the public safety concerns of relaxing the Mailbox Rule and makes recommendations to address these concerns.

U. S. Postal Service
U. S. Postal Service

Author: Gerald P. Barnes

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 1998-05

Total Pages: 58

ISBN-13: 9780788148415

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Congress adopted the mailbox restriction in 1934 to protect postal revenue by preventing delivery of unstamped matter to mailboxes, which reportedly was having a considerable impact on postal revenues. Today, some major competitors of the Postal Service believe the law to be unfair and unnecessary, that it adversely affects their delivery operations, and should be repealed. This report provides information on the purpose and history of the restriction; current U.S. public attitudes; views of the Postal Service, major mailers, and others; and the experience of mail theft and the need for mailbox restriction.

Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States
Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2009-07-29

Total Pages: 348

ISBN-13: 0309142393

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Scores of talented and dedicated people serve the forensic science community, performing vitally important work. However, they are often constrained by lack of adequate resources, sound policies, and national support. It is clear that change and advancements, both systematic and scientific, are needed in a number of forensic science disciplines to ensure the reliability of work, establish enforceable standards, and promote best practices with consistent application. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward provides a detailed plan for addressing these needs and suggests the creation of a new government entity, the National Institute of Forensic Science, to establish and enforce standards within the forensic science community. The benefits of improving and regulating the forensic science disciplines are clear: assisting law enforcement officials, enhancing homeland security, and reducing the risk of wrongful conviction and exoneration. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States gives a full account of what is needed to advance the forensic science disciplines, including upgrading of systems and organizational structures, better training, widespread adoption of uniform and enforceable best practices, and mandatory certification and accreditation programs. While this book provides an essential call-to-action for congress and policy makers, it also serves as a vital tool for law enforcement agencies, criminal prosecutors and attorneys, and forensic science educators.

Protecting Competition from the Postal Monopoly
Protecting Competition from the Postal Monopoly

Author: J. Gregory Sidak

Publisher: A E I Press

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 195

ISBN-13: 9780844739502

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The Private Express Statutes protect the U.S. Postal Service from competition in the delivery of letter mail. In contrast, few if any corresponding rules protect competition in other areas from the federal government's postal monopoly. Not only are the Postal Service's competitive activities arguably unrestricted by any explicit application of antitrust law, but public ownership and control exempt the Postal Service's actions from the corporate governance that is characteristic of private enterprises. The Postal Service can take advantage of its autonomy and protected letter mail monopoly to subsidize its entry and expansion in competitive markets, such as parcel post and express mail. That raises a fundamental issue: whether Congress's grant of a monopoly to the Postal Service over the delivery of letter mail should be used to restrict or supplant private commerce in other markets. In this book J. Gregory Sidak and Daniel F. Spulber examine the justifications for the publicly protected postal monopoly and its public ownership and control. On the basis of their economic and legal analysis, the authors demonstrate the need to prevent extension of the postal monopoly into competitive markets.

Preserving the People's Post Office
Preserving the People's Post Office

Author: Christopher W. Shaw

Publisher:

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 268

ISBN-13:

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Christopher Shaw, the book's author said, "Through preferential postage rates for nonprofits the Postal Service facilitates civic involvement and a healthy democracy." Nader also noted, "Postal employees are fairly remunerated in an increasingly low-wage, low benefit 'Wal-Mart' economy." According to Nader, "Post offices serve as the heart of community life in neighborhoods and towns nationwide and the presence of postal workers on community streets make them safer, as the many beneficiaries of their frequently heroic efforts attest." "The lack of citizen-consumers' involvement in the recently passed postal reform legislation has highlighted the need for a public dialogue about the future of our postal system. The book provides a starting point for that conversation," stated Nader.