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> no one seems to be writing about the utilization of the existing machines First off, that's wrong. Like three of the top comments here are talking about it.

by djaque 6y ago

> no one seems to be writing about the utilization of the existing machines First off, that's wrong. Like three of the top comments here are talking about it. Second, if it's about efficiency then it needs to wait until after our record mail-in election. There is no excuse for providing even so much as the image of election tampering.

Rebelgecko 6y ago
To clarify, I mean that no one is talking about actual real numbers wrt utilization. It's all speculation. Let's say we give USPS the benefit of the doubt and assume that these machines are unnecessary. It would be irresponsible to keep using them because of the election. If the linked article is correct that these machines typically have 2 employees assigned to them each, there could be a thousand employees or more whose work is totally pointless. I would much prefer that those 1000 employees be reassigned to do useful work instead of this boondoggle. Is it better to assign 1000 workers to perform "productivity theater" instead of having them help with the mail? IMO it isn't. What's more like election tampering? 1. Reassigning redundant workers to more useful tasks 2. Misappropriating the labor of 1000 employees to avoid the appearance of election tampering
- schwartzworld 6y ago
  wouldn't it make sense to stop using the machines before irreversibly moving them? it takes one person to drive my car, but if I don't need it, I just don't use it. nobody needs to staff the car when not in use
  - Rebelgecko 6y ago
    According to a CNN article I read, many of these machines have already been sitting inactive for some time. I dunno how mail facilities are set up, bit perhaps there's a better use of space. I also don't think the removal is irreversible. For the most parts the removals can be reversed by putting them back (although a few of the inactive machines have already been stripped for spare parts) In the long run, it's inefficient to keep paying for a car you're not using. You'd save money by canceling the car insurance and not renewing the registration. If your family has more cars than people, it may be the fiscally smartest option to sell your spare car, especially if your kids are off at college and car usage has been trending downwards for years.

by djaque 6y ago

Rebelgecko 6y ago

To clarify, I mean that no one is talking about actual real numbers wrt utilization. It's all speculation. Let's say we give USPS the benefit of the doubt and assume that these machines are unnecessary. It would be irresponsible to keep using them because of the election. If the linked article is correct that these machines typically have 2 employees assigned to them each, there could be a thousand employees or more whose work is totally pointless. I would much prefer that those 1000 employees be reassigned to do useful work instead of this boondoggle. Is it better to assign 1000 workers to perform "productivity theater" instead of having them help with the mail? IMO it isn't. What's more like election tampering? 1. Reassigning redundant workers to more useful tasks 2. Misappropriating the labor of 1000 employees to avoid the appearance of election tampering

schwartzworld 6y ago
wouldn't it make sense to stop using the machines before irreversibly moving them? it takes one person to drive my car, but if I don't need it, I just don't use it. nobody needs to staff the car when not in use
- Rebelgecko 6y ago
  According to a CNN article I read, many of these machines have already been sitting inactive for some time. I dunno how mail facilities are set up, bit perhaps there's a better use of space. I also don't think the removal is irreversible. For the most parts the removals can be reversed by putting them back (although a few of the inactive machines have already been stripped for spare parts) In the long run, it's inefficient to keep paying for a car you're not using. You'd save money by canceling the car insurance and not renewing the registration. If your family has more cars than people, it may be the fiscally smartest option to sell your spare car, especially if your kids are off at college and car usage has been trending downwards for years.