It would be interesting to know what you are basing your suggested price on. If FedEx started delivering letters and did it well enough to beat out USPS, one would think that the price would be at a point that is acceptable to most entities sending out mail. I highly doubt that $5.00 to $10.00 per letter would be acceptable to most senders. FedEx would have a tremendous economy of scale in that they could transport thousands of letters on the planes they already own without greatly reducing the number of parcels they transport on the same flight. At some point, somebody will build the proverbial better mousetrap.
Then why don't they offer that service already, if they are in such a prime position to compete with the US Post Office? The answer is that transporting first class letters isn't a profitable business at USPS rates. My guess/estimate is based on what FedEx currently charges to send a letter by slowest service, adjusting for something a bit slower, and then factoring in the effect of removing of downward pressure the USPS exerts. I think perhaps the wonder of being able to send a letter by depositing it in a mailbox on your front lawn and having it arrive anywhere in the USA within roughly a week for 44¢ is lost on people because it is so incredibly commonplace. If they were so competitive, a long time ago they would have gone head to head with the USPS in competition for one of the post office's core services. Instead, they operate in a niche for very fast service which abuts the point of faster and faster delivery where USPS discontinues its service. I would guess that 90+ percent of the FedEx business is overnight/2 day.
What a worthless OP. I hope you enjoy living in a world where you have to pay taxes to 'enjoy' the Grand Canyon. Just the way God intended. Furthermore, I'd be happy to do without 90% of those federal programs you listed. Also, nice strawman for your 3 points against 'teabaggers', using negative characterizations of an infinitesimal portion of that group. Yuppie propaganda pieces like this make me remember why this country is going down the tubes faster than most people realize.
lol. TEA is an acronym for 'Taxed Enough Already', if you think they're trying to entice violent revolution you should check yourself into the asylum already. Neo-Nazi marches? Go drink some more koolaid and justify your positions by calling people 'stupid', instead of reading up on facts or history.
For the insurance companies it's about protecting their $$$. But if you look at the crowds, these aren't multi-millionaire CEO's out there. These are largely the people that would actually be helped by health care reform, because they aren't wealthy, and sometimes not even insured.
They know its going to help them. They're main beef is its helping out people they believe shouldn't be helped.
So basically you're saying their shooting themselves in the foot? Some of the protesters attitudes would change if their grandparents, mothers, wife's or children were sick and couldn't afford health care. As someone who makes a modest salary of approx. $40,000 a year, health care for a family eats approx. 1/3 of our salaries not including deducibles & cap limits, I'll pass. As someone who use to take my grandfather to a V.A. hospital, he received very good care and I was pleasantly surprised. Previously owning my own company, we could not afford health care for our 8 employees and I went many years without. Now I take the stance of why pay for health insurance when I'll still get a large bill at the end of the day. If I go see the doctor, I'll pay for the bill cash that day. If I have a heart attack, the emergency room has to admit me, send me a bill. Health care cost is out of control and the rich get richer. What's Wrong with private insurance companies having to compete with government run programs? Because it eats in their profit margin? If it brings down the cost, I'll be back in. I don't like getting ripped off. I'll gladly pay taxes for the right cause. But If I'm getting screwed at least give me a kiss.
If there is one myth that continues to stymie progress in america, it's the illusion of class mobility in the current system.
We know what it stands for. Are you denying the the members/participants are trying to evoke the spirit of the American Revolution and more specifically the Boston Tea Party? from wiki: "The name 'Tea Party' is a reference to the Boston Tea Party, and the protests have sought to evoke images, slogans, and themes from the American Revolution. The letters T, E, and A have been used by protesters to form the backronym 'Taxed Enough Already.'" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_Party_protests If that isn't good enough just go to any of the TEA party pages online. Many of them have graphics and text of the Founding Fathers or colonial U.S. It's hard to believe you are trying to make this point. "We came unarmed...this time" was probably the most common sign at the rally in D.C. over the Memorial Day Weekend. Is threatening to bring guns to our nation's capitol not attempting to entice violence. If I tell you I'm angry at you and I'm coming over with my pistol is that me being peaceful?
Dave already answered this far more skillfully than I could have. Thank you Dave. I am really tired of the right wing. The last 5 years has seen me really question the conservative movement...up until last year I felt Bush has pushed me away from a moderate conservative to just a moderate. But this is really turning me off and I must admit I am beginning to see what liberals really dislike about the right. I find the intolerance to new ideas, to diversity, and to being open minded really really unfortunate. Conservatives are so odd. I don't think the founding fathers would share the TEA Baggers ideology and rationale at all. Could you imagine Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine attacking health care for all as the equivalent of British Tyranny?
Intolerance to the ideas of others isn't exactly unique to the right side of the aisle. That is why we are screwed long term as a society. Intolerance to diversity? You mean such as those that like to have a Coca-Cola with their dinner instead of water (or my personal favorite, iced tea)?
That's part of the joke that is the tea baggers. Their unofficial leader, Glenn Beck, loves quoting Jefferson and Paine even though both disliked organized religion and said so often. Gotta love the irony I noticed the old "tree of liberty" quote popping up almost as much as the "we came unarmed...this time" posters so there is no doubt that teabaggers love them some Thomas Jefferson. Here are some new Jefferson quotes for the teabaggers: "Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity." "Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear." "History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government."
here's another thought for the tea party groups to ponder http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6832964.ece
