Postal Service employees are not political pawns

Kristina Evans, U.S. Postal Service sales service associate, empties mail out of collection boxes outside of the post office in South Salt Lake on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

The United States Postal Service has been our communication lifeline since 1775. Our Founding Fathers knew our nation needed a dependable network of communication and delivery. The Postal Service is one of the oldest, most remarkable, and reliable American institutions. The Postal Service has grown and changed in the decades, but the mission of carrying our most precious cargos is steadfast. As the USPS motto states: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

By partnering with other delivery companies and putting in place new technologies, our USPS has adapted to changing needs. Many companies and institutions exclusively rely on the Postal Service for their business functions. Countless Americans depend on the Postal Service to provide for their medical needs. Retirees and those with disabilities depend out the Postal Service for reliable delivery of our government’s financial payments. The Postal Service is a vital thread connecting every location and segment of our economy and country.

Because of its nature and mission, the Postal Service is an easy target for criticism and manipulation. Numerous examples of this have been found over the years, but the underlying goal is to discredit the Postal Service for political advantage. At no point in our history, however, has the Postal Service been under attack as it is today. Remember, the charge of the Postal Service is serving every door in every part of the United States. It is the largest delivery entity in the world. The Postal Service is entirely funded through the purchase of postage, products and services. It uses no taxpayer monies and yet it is the only organization with the infrastructure, resources and logistical capability to serve every single residential and business address in the country.

Recently, a lot has been said about vote by mail, and a lot of claims have been made that are simply not supported by facts. Our own state elections office has made it clear that voting by mail is secure, effective and reliable For years, vote by mail has been successful across the nation and in our state. It has, rightfully, enjoyed support from those across the political spectrum. It gives us all access to one of our most fundamental rights, the right to vote. Americans have fought and bled and died for that right and we should never tolerate voting rights to be subject to political games.

Our letter carriers and mail handlers are dedicated employees, and it isn’t fair for them to be treated as political pawns. The Postal Service should be treated as a treasure to be improved upon and fostered. Our carriers and handlers deserve better. Our nation deserves better. We, the people, deserve better.

Sen. Karen Mayne is a lifelong resident of the west side of Salt Lake Valley. She has represented the communities of Taylorsville, Kearns and West Valley since taking office in 2008. She currently serves as Senate Minority Leader in the Utah State Senate.

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