I had a realization that the very existence of private domestic shippers in countries indicates a failure of their government to provide universal infrastructure needed by all citizens.
There may be specialized needs like same-day couriers, special handling requirements and other edge cases, but those should be small specialty houses, not international mega-corps.
I understand why health care should be socialized, but why should package delivery be?
Why stop there, maybe the government should have a monopoly on hair salons and pizzerias since everyone uses those too. /s
Because without the post office, then people in rural areas would never get any mail. Same with electricity, internet, and other utilities.
You have to support people that live in all parts of the country, because we can’t survive if 100% of the population lived in dense cities. You need stuff that can only be done in remote areas.
A big reason why everything is made in China is because the Chinese government subsidizes the cost of shipping.
Local governments in China literally reimburse local businesses 20-50% of air freight costs.
The national Chinese government subsidizes ocean freight and commercial shipbuilding to the tune of 50%.
They also subsidize a zillion other things, but the bottom line is that by using taxes to pay for their postal/shipping services, they’re easily able to out-compete Western nations/businesses in overall product costs.
Imagine if the US was still paying for USPS through taxes—how much that would save businesses in the US and keep them competitive internationally.
I agree with you, But I suggest that you look at your own position through the same slippery slope argument. If medicine has to be socialised, why stop there? If you think medicine should be socialized, but not package delivery, why is your opinion more valid than someone who thinks that package delivery should also be socialized? Or than someone who thinks that neither should be socialized?
Getting mail delivered is a process that everyone needs. It is the last fallback to make sure important communication reaches a person, including mail regarding anything citizenship. It is also a lot cheaper than having a bunch of private companies doing this basic thing.
You stop at things everyone needs. Hair salons and pizzerias are not needed by all citizens and society would adapt immediately if they ceased to exist overnight.
Shipping includes all mail, physical correspondence, and delivery of goods, including to the stores. Society as structured needs that desperately to operate and would promptly collapse without it.