The U.S. Postal Service, like any business should, continues to try to find ways to stay competitive faced with a changing landscape and financial losses.

Predictably, though, those protecting what they see as their own self-interest continue to try to thwart such innovation.

The latest volley comes as the Postal Service has launched a partnership with dozens of Staples office-supply stores throughout the country, in which Staples employees do such routine things as sell postage and mail packages — things the postal union considers to be union-only jobs. …

Whenever the Postal Service tries to make a change to stem its losses, which totaled $5 billion during the past year, many understandably worry that consumers will be harmed if postal services are cut. A shared-resources deal such as the one with Staples is a proven way to continue serving Americans while keeping costs in check.

Continuing to lose billions of dollars a year simply isn’t a viable strategy, and postal workers are more likely to see everyone suffer and lose jobs if they resist such reasonable attempts by the postal service to manage its business.

 

The Columbus Dispatch

 

Cut fat in local government

Randy Cole may have the toughest sales job in Ohio.

As one of Gov. John Kasich’s top policy advisers, Cole travels the state trying to convince local government officials to find more efficient ways to operate, whether by sharing services, consolidating operations or even merging. …

While some school districts have responded by working with other districts to save money, and municipalities have found ways to provide services more efficiently and/or cost-effectively, government isn’t exactly shrinking. …

It’s human nature to want to keep something around that works and, when it comes to government, it’s often the nearest form of it that is most responsive. In county, township and municipal government, a taxpayer is more likely to know the people who serve and who to call when they need something.

But at the same time we complain about excesses in Washington or Columbus, we shouldn’t continue to excuse the redundancies that take place in our backyards.

Certainly, if someone was to start Ohio government anew, it wouldn’t look like it does today.

Cole’s pep talks about shrinking government and reducing costs shouldn’t be met with deaf ears and closed minds. Local governments shouldn’t wait until the next financial crisis to join the conversation.

 

The (Findlay) Courier