The two options presented have some difficulties: 1. Private companies have no mandate for universal service. They are free to refuse to deliver to any area,

The two options presented have some difficulties: 1. Private companies have no mandate for universal service. They are free to refuse to deliver to any area, or to subcontract delivery out. In fact, SmartMail is a service that relies on private shippers delivering parcels to a destinating Post Office with the Letter Carrier making final last-mile delivery. The private companies wouldn't do that if it wasn't cheaper to use the USPS for final delivery. 2. As far as taxpayers subsidizing the USPS, this has not been the case since 1970 when the agency stopped being the Post Office and became the Postal Service. It's just incorrect.