Philatelic Fits

You've got to be kidding.

Stamps are 39¢ starting next week? Did the USPS need more money for fuel or advertising or something? Nope. A law was passed asking the Post Office to create a nest egg. That's right, extra money. So they raised rates, admitting that it's not currently necessary, in order to comply.

Good grief.

Here's the page showing the new stamp as well as the 2¢ stamp we'll need to go with all of our old stamps. You'll also need 24¢ to send a post card and a flat rate envelope is now $4.05 (up twenty cents).

Here's a question that may date you: What is the smallest denomination of stamp you can remember using? Hint: It's tripled in my lifetime.

If you can't remember, here's a history of postal rates. I've also discovered a large number of watchdog sites and generally disgruntled websites (probably the fruit of those who don't quite go postal). If you don't appreciate the USPS you certainly will never be lonely.