I was just curious if anyone here has had any issues with their mail service delivery time in recent months,
Quote from: MuggsyB on September 19, 2024, 09:08:21 AM
I was just curious if anyone here has had any issues with their mail service delivery time in recent months,
A few months ago I thought we did, or someone was stealing stuff from my mailbox, so I signed up for informed delivery. That at least gave me peace of mind that stuff that was supposed to be in my mailbox was indeed in my mailbox.
But any other problems looks like they have cleared up.
I expect less from the postal service and am proud to say, I get it.
There are certain quasi-government agencies that essentially are ridiculously run and grossly outdated for what they do. The postal service, Amtrak, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae all come to mind. All need a bad housekeeping and in the case of Amtrak, Fannie and Freddie, they need to go away.
The postal service is constitutionally mandated but nobody suggests it needs to be what it is today.
Quote from: dgies9156 on September 19, 2024, 09:17:44 AM
I expect less from the postal service and am proud to say, I get it.
There are certain quasi-government agencies that essentially are ridiculously run and grossly outdated for what they do. The postal service, Amtrak, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae all come to mind. All need a bad housekeeping and in the case of Amtrak, Fannie and Freddie, they need to go away.
The postal service is constitutionally mandated but nobody suggests it needs to be what it is today.
What should it be today? Any agency that is required to provide universal service, but whose primary source of revenue has grown obsolete, is going to either be expensive and/or run poorly.
Quote from: dgies9156 on September 19, 2024, 09:17:44 AM
I expect less from the postal service and am proud to say, I get it.
There are certain quasi-government agencies that essentially are ridiculously run and grossly outdated for what they do. The postal service, Amtrak, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae all come to mind. All need a bad housekeeping and in the case of Amtrak, Fannie and Freddie, they need to go away.
The postal service is constitutionally mandated but nobody suggests it needs to be what it is today.
I realize I'm unusual brother dgies in that I exchange letters with my grandma 2-3 times a week, but it's taking about 3 times as long as normal for some reason. They seem to be able to deliver junk mail regularly though.
Typical government agency. Only going to get worse, aina?
Quote from: dgies9156 on September 19, 2024, 09:17:44 AM
I expect less from the postal service and am proud to say, I get it.
There are certain quasi-government agencies that essentially are ridiculously run and grossly outdated for what they do. The postal service, Amtrak, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae all come to mind. All need a bad housekeeping and in the case of Amtrak, Fannie and Freddie, they need to go away.
The postal service is constitutionally mandated but nobody suggests it needs to be what it is today.
No. The government isn't a business and shouldn't be run like one.
Pony Express was better, hey?
Quote from: MuggsyB on September 19, 2024, 09:22:58 AM
I realize I'm unusual brother dgies in that I exchange letters with my grandma 2-3 times a week, but it's taking about 3 times as long as normal for some reason. They seem to be able to deliver junk mail regularly though.
Mugs, buy your Grandma a Mac and teacher to email. So much less stressful and more reliable, hey?
Quote from: 4everwarriors on September 19, 2024, 09:28:51 AM
Pony Express was better, hey?
The pony express was a private business that lasted 18 months.
The only time I had an issue was when we sent my wife's old iPhone back to AT&T as a trade in when her new iPhone arrived last September. I had never had anything lost in the mail or any issues, so when I was dropping off the trade in at USPS last minute and they didn't ask if I wanted a receipt, I didn't request one and figured everything would be fine.
Well, a year later and AT&T says they still haven't received the trade in, and they apparently don't keep any sort of record of what return labels they send out (which I would've thought they would, especially because I'd think they'd have some minimal amount of insurance coverage on them?).
Needless to say, I'll be taking any trade ins to an AT&T store going forward.
So, you're good with the USPS, where fees go up 2-3x yearly and employees can't read an address and pass a drug test...during the hiring process, hey?
Quote from: 4everwarriors on September 19, 2024, 09:37:15 AM
So, you're good with the USPS, where fees go up 2-3x yearly and employees can't read an address and pass a drug test...during the hiring process, hey?
Nothing to see here, folks.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on September 19, 2024, 09:37:15 AM
So, you're good with the USPS, where fees go up 2-3x yearly and employees can't read an address and pass a drug test...during the hiring process, hey?
It provides universal service to every address in the country. So of course it's going to be expensive and fees are going to have to rise.
Do I think they could create more efficiencies? Of course. Like could mail be delivered every other day instead? Do they need customer desks at every one of their locations? (Though they are packed at Christmastime every year.)
And why would they be immune from the hiring issues that many other companies face? The pay isn't that great considering the physical nature of the work.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on September 19, 2024, 09:37:15 AM
So, you're good with the USPS, where fees go up 2-3x yearly and employees can't read an address and pass a drug test...during the hiring process, hey?
Should I add them to my 5 pt plan? :)
They upset my grandma who is 95.
Quote from: The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole on September 19, 2024, 09:40:52 AM
It provides universal service to every address in the country. So of course it's going to be expensive and fees are going to have to rise.
Sorta. Many people in my area can only get their mail at a PO box. But...that's a catch of living around here. That said, my neighbor "across the street" and I both have roadside mailboxes, and get mail delivered. But it's a mile or more to the next box on either side of the road. It's amazing that I get mail delivered!
It's also amazing that there are electric lines to my house. Thanks city folk for subsidizing those :)
I've long been impressed by the service that USPS provides -- delivery to most addresses in the country -- for a relatively low price. And I remain so. Yes, I know it's gotten more expensive, but hand delivering an envelope to pretty much any location in the country for $0.73? Are you freaking kidding me? It really is kind of amazing to me. Room for improvement? Absolutely. But still amazing.
That said, I recently had a situation where it took 21 days for a letter to be delivered to an address about eight miles away.
Quote from: MuggsyB on September 19, 2024, 09:22:58 AM
I realize I'm unusual brother dgies in that I exchange letters with my grandma 2-3 times a week, but it's taking about 3 times as long as normal for some reason. They seem to be able to deliver junk mail regularly though.
Louis Dejoy has changed several things on the routing of mail the last several years in the name of "saving money". This is the result.
For many, many years I loved getting the mail both at work and at home and never did not check the mail box or the P.O. Box. My wife just returned from a 3 week business trip and I think I checked the mailbox less than ten times when she was gone. Multiple times I just left the junk mail in the box.
Muggsy I still like sending letters and a couple of my kids are big on sending handwritten notes to family members and I love that tradition and get you sending letters to your Grandma. About a month ago my 4y granddaughter sent me a "handwritten" note via USPS and I loved it. That said, it took four days to go the approx. 10 miles between her condo and our house. USPS is not a well-run organization.
Quote from: StillAWarrior on September 19, 2024, 09:52:21 AM
I've long been impressed by the service that USPS provides -- delivery to most addresses in the country -- for a relatively low price. And I remain so. Yes, I know it's gotten more expensive, but hand delivering an envelope to pretty much any location in the country for $0.73? Are you freaking kidding me? It really is kind of amazing to me. Room for improvement? Absolutely. But still amazing.
That said, I recently had a situation where it took 21 days for a letter to be delivered to an address about eight miles away.
Yup.
Also, it was funny seeing how long it was taking for people to get their wedding invites when we sent them out. We put them in the mail in Columbia, MO, and someone in Southern California got his within like 3 days, while a cousin in St. Louis got hers weeks later.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on September 19, 2024, 09:48:18 AM
Sorta. Many people in my area can only get their mail at a PO box. But...that's a catch of living around here. That said, my neighbor "across the street" and I both have roadside mailboxes, and get mail delivered. But it's a mile or more to the next box on either side of the road. It's amazing that I get mail delivered!
It's also amazing that there are electric lines to my house. Thanks city folk for subsidizing those :)
Same here. Thanks, city folks, for the subsidies-mail, electricity, and-via your Federal taxes-fiber internet. Smile knowing that your contributions to country dwellers are much appreciated. ;D
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on September 19, 2024, 10:17:25 AM
and-via your Federal taxes-fiber internet.
Lucky! I doubt anyone will ever pay to string fiber to my area. I do get T-Mobile 5G at about 250Mbps, and of course could get starlink.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on September 19, 2024, 10:22:55 AM
Lucky! I doubt anyone will ever pay to string fiber to my area. I do get T-Mobile 5G at about 250Mbps, and of course could get starlink.
That's why you got covid
Quote from: rocky_warrior on September 19, 2024, 10:22:55 AM
Lucky! I doubt anyone will ever pay to string fiber to my area. I do get T-Mobile 5G at about 250Mbps, and of course could get starlink.
CVEC-Central Virginia Electric Co-Op-formed a subsidiary-Firefly-to run the wires on their poles with a subsidy from our friends in DC. It's great! And-as Rico warned -we won't get covid from it.
Quote from: MuggsyB on September 19, 2024, 09:22:58 AM
I realize I'm unusual brother dgies in that I exchange letters with my grandma 2-3 times a week, but it's taking about 3 times as long as normal for some reason. They seem to be able to deliver junk mail regularly though.
As someone who buys and sells cards on a daily basis, the line was clear. Email slowed for the 2020 election on orders of trump to disrupt email voting. Delivery times basically doubled. I had numerous customers contact EEbay complaining that I wasn't shipping in a timely manner. Never had a single complaint before that.
After the election, things slowly got better. We're still not back to where we were, but things have improved somewhat over the last couple years
Quote from: StillAWarrior on September 19, 2024, 09:52:21 AM
I've long been impressed by the service that USPS provides -- delivery to most addresses in the country -- for a relatively low price. And I remain so. Yes, I know it's gotten more expensive, but hand delivering an envelope to pretty much any location in the country for $0.73? Are you freaking kidding me? It really is kind of amazing to me. Room for improvement? Absolutely. But still amazing.
That said, I recently had a situation where it took 21 days for a letter to be delivered to an address about eight miles away.
I agree with every word of this.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on September 19, 2024, 09:37:15 AM
So, you're good with the USPS, where fees go up 2-3x yearly and employees can't read an address and pass a drug test...during the hiring process, hey?
My grandfather was a mailman. He could read, as far as I know didn't do drugs and he was a veteran who served our country you a$$hat.
I'm with Still on this one. Paying .73 to get a letter hand delivered anywhere in the country is incredible value. Are there improvements that could be made? Absolutely. Are there very legitimate reasons why those improvements aren't happening? Also absolutely
So, I'm an ass hole because I criticize today's USPS for what it is? Good to know, hey?
Quote from: 4everwarriors on September 19, 2024, 11:24:23 AM
So, I'm an ass hole because I criticize today's USPS for what it is? Good to know, hey?
No, there are many other reasons.
Need to keep those USPS workers out of Mequon.
I remember last presidential election we got mail many hours later each day and the main reason was sorting through all the political fliers.
This thread's bait.
I get mail 3 times a week now. Dejoy is gutting the USPS, I don't get why he hasn't been replaced.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on September 19, 2024, 11:24:23 AM
So, I'm an ass hole because I criticize today's USPS for what it is? Good to know, hey?
Pretty far down the list, tbh.
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on September 19, 2024, 11:16:29 AM
Paying .73 to get a letter hand delivered anywhere in the country is incredible value.
Full disclosure: I had to use google to find out what a stamp costs. If I'd been forced to guess, I probably would have guessed about $0.80. Years ago my mother-in-law bought a ridiculous number of "forever" stamps and we still have a sizable stock. We send letters so infrequently, I imagine they'll last for years.
Quote from: StillAWarrior on September 19, 2024, 12:09:29 PM
Full disclosure: I had to use google to find out what a stamp costs. If I'd been forced to guess, I probably would have guessed about $0.80. Years ago my mother-in-law bought a ridiculous number of "forever" stamps and we still have a sizable stock. We send letters so infrequently, I imagine they'll last for years.
Because I sell a lot of individual cards, I purchase rolls is stamps - they cost about $35 per hundred, so 35 cents apiece makes it easy to offer free shipping which is a huge advantage.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on September 19, 2024, 11:24:23 AM
So, I'm an ass hole because I criticize today's USPS for what it is? Good to know, hey?
Read what you wrote again and report back.
I like it when my mailman comes early (pawz). Current guy is usually dropping off his load by 11a, which is great. I believe he may smoke a little weed, but bruh gets the job done
Ps - fed govt does almost everything inefficiently and not well. USPS just another example
Quote from: Jay Bee on September 19, 2024, 02:05:32 PM
I like it when my mailman comes early (pawz). Current guy is usually dropping off his load by 11a, which is great. I believe he may smoke a little weed, but bruh gets the job done
Ps - fed govt does almost everything inefficiently and not well. USPS just another example
The USPS is actually pretty efficient compared to other governmental agencies. 146 billion mail items per year. Very low percentage are actually lost.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on September 19, 2024, 09:27:37 AM
No. The government isn't a business and shouldn't be run like one.
there are governmental entities that might benefit from being managed like a private business, i.e. USPS. Ironically, govt as a whole over employs while the USPS is in many regions understaffed.
Quote from: Viper on September 19, 2024, 02:37:02 PM
there are governmental entities that might benefit from being managed like a private business, i.e. USPS.
So what exactly would you do to run the USPS like a private business? This isn't meant as criticism - I just don't know what that looks like. Because a company like UPS or FedEx can focus entirely on high margin services (package delivery, etc.) while the USPS is mandated to deliver anything to anywhere.
Quote from: Jockey on September 19, 2024, 01:03:05 PM
Because I sell a lot of individual cards, I purchase rolls is stamps - they cost about $35 per hundred, so 35 cents apiece makes it easy to offer free shipping which is a huge advantage.
...so, discounted buying bulk? USPS stamps? If that's true no wonder the USPS is bleeding out.
Quote from: Jockey on September 19, 2024, 01:03:05 PM
Because I sell a lot of individual cards, I purchase rolls is stamps - they cost about $35 per hundred, so 35 cents apiece makes it easy to offer free shipping which is a huge advantage.
What kind of cards are these? Very odd
Quote from: The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole on September 19, 2024, 02:42:25 PM
So what exactly would you do to run the USPS like a private business? This isn't meant as criticism - I just don't know what that looks like. Because a company like UPS or FedEx can focus entirely on high margin services (package delivery, etc.) while the USPS is mandated to deliver anything to anywhere.
my neighbor works for the USPS Milwaukee airport location. I remember him saying there's just less mail, but staffing, or proper staffing, hasn't reflected this. The USPS has been hammered on fuel costs. (keep in mind we went from energy independence to not. Fuel prices way up). This has hurt the USPS more-so than private business because, as you say, a UPS or FedEx isn't bogged down delivering a single post card. Back to staffing, I recall my neighbor said properly allocated personnel is critical...many areas have dead weight while others actually need staff. Thus, tremendous inefficiency around personnel. Offer transfers, or severance. Modernized fleet (it's being done...but at too slow a pace) in the name of fuel efficiency but also maintenance cost reduction. More robust region adjusted delivery...is done in some parts of the country (limited), but expanding this out would help with the balance sheet. Sub-contracted delivery service...benefits savings alone bring about huge savings to USPS. There are independent mail haulers of bulk mail, but I'm talking door-to-door. Probably other ways to make the USPS more cost efficient that have to do with tech, but I remember the points mentioned. (Nice guy, btw. Won't hold his Badger loyalty against him)
"went from energy independence to not"
Can you explain this?
Quote from: Viper on September 19, 2024, 03:23:20 PM
(Nice guy, btw. Won't hold his Badger loyalty against him)
WTF? When did you become so soft? Better dead than RED!
Quote from: Viper on September 19, 2024, 03:23:20 PM
my neighbor works for the USPS Milwaukee airport location. I remember him saying there's just less mail, but staffing, or proper staffing, hasn't reflected this. The USPS has been hammered on fuel costs. (keep in mind we went from energy independence to not. Fuel prices way up). This has hurt the USPS more-so than private business because, as you say, a UPS or FedEx isn't bogged down delivering a single post card. Back to staffing, I recall my neighbor said properly allocated personnel is critical...many areas have dead weight while others actually need staff. Thus, tremendous inefficiency around personnel. Offer transfers, or severance. Modernized fleet (it's being done...but at too slow a pace) in the name of fuel efficiency but also maintenance cost reduction. More robust region adjusted delivery...is done in some parts of the country (limited), but expanding this out would help with the balance sheet. Sub-contracted delivery service...benefits savings alone bring about huge savings to USPS. There are independent mail haulers of bulk mail, but I'm talking door-to-door. Probably other ways to make the USPS more cost efficient that have to do with tech, but I remember the points mentioned. (Nice guy, btw. Won't hold his Badger loyalty against him)
Thank you for your response. I just don't have a good indication of their personnel issues.
But you realize we pump oil more than any other country ever has in the history of the world right? We are a net energy exporter.
Quote from: jesmu84 on September 19, 2024, 03:26:53 PM
"went from energy independence to not"
Can you explain this?
Depends on how you define independent. If one means we export more energy than we import, we are. If one means we do not import, then we are not. We haven't been independent in that sense in a looong time.
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 19, 2024, 03:36:41 PM
Depends on how you define independent. If one means we export more energy than we import, we are. If one means we do not import, then we are not. We haven't been independent in that sense in a looong time.
Because not all oil is created equally.
Quote from: Viper on September 19, 2024, 03:23:20 PM
Modernized fleet (it's being done...but at too slow a pace) in the name of fuel efficiency but also maintenance cost reduction.
The current trucks date to 1987 and finally the new ones will even have AC
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a62187981/usps-new-mail-truck-debut/
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 19, 2024, 03:36:41 PM
Depends on how you define independent. If one means we export more energy than we import, we are. If one means we do not import, then we are not. We haven't been independent in that sense in a looong time.
I have never heard independent defined as "we import nothing." That would be terrible economic policy anyway.
Solar farms generating electricity for EV mail carrying vehicles seems like a brilliant idea to me. Make it so.
Quote from: Spotcheck Billy on September 19, 2024, 03:37:50 PM
The current trucks date to 1987 and finally the new ones will even have AC
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a62187981/usps-new-mail-truck-debut/
Ugh, don't remind me about this. I had a position in WKHS that got smoked when the contract for the EVs they were going to produce got yoinked by Oshkosh Defense.
That was a bad financial decision for me.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on September 19, 2024, 03:37:46 PM
Because not all oil is created equally.
Yes, the lighter oil we produce here is not what our refineries are set up to process. It's cheaper to sell that, and buy the heavier crude
Quote from: The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole on September 19, 2024, 03:39:47 PM
I have never heard independent defined as "we import nothing." That would be terrible economic policy anyway.
Sorry you've never heard of it. Get out more. If we only used what we produced here, we would not be subject to the supply and demand issues. Why do you think it would be bad economic policy?
Quote from: Jay Bee on September 19, 2024, 02:51:03 PM
What kind of cards are these? Very odd
Baseball. Topps from 1954 - 1969.
If the card is valued at over $50, I use soft-packs which average about $4 shipping. Also use softy packs if the order is more than 10 cards. Otherwise cheaper to send 2 per envelope for 35 cents each.
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 19, 2024, 03:55:08 PM
Sorry you've never heard of it. Get out more. If we only used what we produced here, we would not be subject to the supply and demand issues. Why do you think it would be bad economic policy?
LOL, you tell me to "get out more" but then post the bolded nonsense?
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 19, 2024, 03:55:08 PM
Sorry you've never heard of it. Get out more. If we only used what we produced here, we would not be subject to the supply and demand issues. Why do you think it would be bad economic policy?
Anyone who defines independence this way would necessarily have to explain how such a thing would be accomplished. Do we nationalize the oil industry? Make it illegal for private companies to sell their product outside the United States ... at least until domestic demand is completely satisfied? Ban the sale of foreign oil within our borders?
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 19, 2024, 03:36:41 PM
Depends on how you define independent. If one means we export more energy than we import, we are. If one means we do not import, then we are not. We haven't been independent in that sense in a looong time.
Do we need to import to meet our needs?
Quote from: Jockey on September 19, 2024, 03:56:44 PM
Baseball. Topps from 1954 - 1969.
If the card is valued at over $50, I use soft-packs which average about $4 shipping. Also use softy packs if the order is more than 10 cards. Otherwise cheaper to send 2 per envelope for 35 cents each.
Does the 35 cents insure the contents?
Lotta people here sure hate rural American Patriots having basic services and want them to pay significantly more than city dwellers 🤔
Some thoughts about postal improvement:
1) Downsize: Postal union may be almost as powerful as the nation's most powerful union, the Major League Baseball Players Association. But the downsize needs to happen.
2) Outsource: Contract out for certain non-core services and low volume mail delivery. I know they are doing some of it, but much more is needed.
3) Stop subsidizing second and third class mail. Second class is going the way of the dodo bird and third class tends to pile up in my mailbox and go mailbox to garbage can (recyclable bin to be precise), non-stop.
Constitutionally, Congress is allowed to create a postal service. But, the scope of the postal service is left up to Congress.
Quote from: Goose on September 19, 2024, 10:10:56 AM
For many, many years I loved getting the mail both at work and at home and never did not check the mail box or the P.O. Box. My wife just returned from a 3 week business trip and I think I checked the mailbox less than ten times when she was gone. Multiple times I just left the junk mail in the box.
Muggsy I still like sending letters and a couple of my kids are big on sending handwritten notes to family members and I love that tradition and get you sending letters to your Grandma. About a month ago my 4y granddaughter sent me a "handwritten" note via USPS and I loved it. That said, it took four days to go the approx. 10 miles between her condo and our house. USPS is not a well-run organization.
I can remember getting twice a day mail service in Manhattan back in the day.
My kids were all taught to send handwritten Thank You notes for various work and personal related events. So we use it that way.
USPS has many bottlenecks in their system. If there are any kind of weather events that cause delays the ripple effect can create weeks long delays.
None of you listened to me when the Manatee Forever stamp at 68c came out. I bought 5 books.
My grandma is extremely savvy 4ever technologically. She just enjoys writing handwritten letters. And her penmanship is impeccable. She also plays tennis 3 times a week, runs a book club, takes care of a pup, her house, does her own taxes, drives, and hasn't slowed down one iota at 95 yrs of age. She is mentally as sharp as ever and still has a wicked drop shot on the tennis court. Oh...she also destroys her friends at Poker and Bridge. :)
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 19, 2024, 03:52:25 PM
Yes, the lighter oil we produce here is not what our refineries are set up to process. It's cheaper to sell that, and buy the heavier crude
Exactly. And the reserves in Venezuela are basically bunker fuel.
I became interested in this topic a couple of years ago and have read a lot about it. It's why we can't just "stop buying oil" from country X. There are global markets and global impacts. No one is insulated... well maybe the Norwegians, but that is another lesson, for another day.
Quote from: Herman Cain on September 19, 2024, 04:55:30 PM
I can remember getting twice a day mail service in Manhattan back in the day.
My kids were all taught to send handwritten Thank You notes for various work and personal related events. So we use it that way.
USPS has many bottlenecks in their system. If there are any kind of weather events that cause delays the ripple effect can create weeks long delays.
I remember Jamie Dimon hated the mail
Quote from: dgies9156 on September 19, 2024, 04:41:04 PM
Some thoughts about postal improvement:
1) Downsize: Postal union may be almost as powerful as the nation's most powerful union, the Major League Baseball Players Association. But the downsize needs to happen.
2) Outsource: Contract out for certain non-core services and low volume mail delivery. I know they are doing some of it, but much more is needed.
3) Stop subsidizing second and third class mail. Second class is going the way of the dodo bird and third class tends to pile up in my mailbox and go mailbox to garbage can (recyclable bin to be precise), non-stop.
Constitutionally, Congress is allowed to create a postal service. But, the scope of the postal service is left up to Congress.
No to 1 and 2, but yes to 3
It's been ripped apart already. Austerity has the USPS in the state it is. Let's reverse course and fix the 'problems'.
Quote from: wadesworld on September 19, 2024, 03:30:56 PM
WTF? When did you become so soft? Better dead than RED!
thx for that...I'll be better!!
Quote from: MuggsyB on September 19, 2024, 05:01:08 PM
None of you listened to me when the Manatee Forever stamp at 68c came out. I bought 5 books.
My grandma is extremely savvy 4ever technologically. She just enjoys writing handwritten letters. And her penmanship is impeccable. She also plays tennis 3 times a week, runs a book club, takes care of a pup, her house, does her own taxes, drives, and hasn't slowed down one iota at 95 yrs of age. She is mentally as sharp as ever and still has a wicked drop shot on the tennis court. Oh...she also destroys her friends at Poker and Bridge. :)
If it were 69c I'd have bought a truckload
Quote from: jesmu84 on September 19, 2024, 04:16:52 PM
Do we need to import to meet our needs?
Depends on who you ask. One could argue we have the technology and resources to be truly energy independent. The question is who would it hurt? The CEO's of the big oil companies, and trickling down to Joe SixPack? It would hurt Canada.
Quote from: The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole on September 19, 2024, 03:33:38 PM
Thank you for your response. I just don't have a good indication of their personnel issues.
But you realize we pump oil more than any other country ever has in the history of the world right? We are a net energy exporter.
key word there is exporter. Keep it here. And, decrease private well regs.
Quote from: Viper on September 19, 2024, 05:16:10 PM
key word there is exporter. Keep it here. And, decrease private well regs.
Lack of fundamental understanding.
Beyond that, a lack of economics 101
Quote from: The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole on September 19, 2024, 03:57:29 PM
LOL, you tell me to "get out more" but then post the bolded nonsense?
There are literally hundreds of scholarly (meaning non political) articles discussing what energy independence is, and how the political talking heads have misconstrued it.
Quote from: Viper on September 19, 2024, 05:16:10 PM
key word there is exporter. Keep it here. And, decrease private well regs.
That's not how it works.
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 19, 2024, 05:19:21 PM
There are literally hundreds of scholarly (meaning non political) articles discussing what energy independence is, and how the political talking heads have misconstrued it.
I guess. Maybe instead of reading them, you should brush up on basic economics.
Quote from: The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole on September 19, 2024, 05:20:32 PM
I guess. Maybe instead of reading them, you should brush up on basic economics.
You be you. I know how economics works. You're the one who said they never heard energy independent being used in that context.
Quote from: Spotcheck Billy on September 19, 2024, 04:19:51 PM
Does the 35 cents insure the contents?
Why would I insure those? I've never once had someone send a card back because it was damaged.
If I sell a set for $5G, then I get insurance. The only single cards I insure are Mantle cards in higher grades.
Quote from: Viper on September 19, 2024, 05:16:10 PM
key word there is exporter. Keep it here. And, decrease private well regs.
How would we keep it here? Isn't it all pumped/acquired by private companies?
Quote from: jesmu84 on September 19, 2024, 05:49:41 PM
How would we keep it here? Isn't it all pumped/acquired by private companies?
Less reliance.on oil, such as nuclear, solar, etc, and tariffs on the imports
Quote from: jesmu84 on September 19, 2024, 05:49:41 PM
How would we keep it here? Isn't it all pumped/acquired by private companies?
Nationalize it
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 19, 2024, 05:54:33 PM
Less reliance.on oil, such as nuclear, solar, etc, and tariffs on the imports
Well, I was responding to a post that says "keep it here".
But while I have your attention, if you believe we need to reduce our reliance on oil, would it make sense to shift oil subsidies to those other energy sources?
Quote from: jesmu84 on September 19, 2024, 06:03:12 PM
Well, I was responding to a post that says "keep it here".
But while I have your attention, if you believe we need to reduce our reliance on oil, would it make sense to shift oil subsidies to those other energy sources?
yes, not only alternative energy sources but also pump more money into more efficient desalinization plants
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 19, 2024, 05:54:33 PM
Less reliance.on oil, such as nuclear, solar, etc, and tariffs on the imports
Nuclear too expensive. Not gonna happen
Quote from: MuggsyB on September 19, 2024, 05:01:08 PM
None of you listened to me when the Manatee Forever stamp at 68c came out. I bought 5 books.
My grandma is extremely savvy 4ever technologically. She just enjoys writing handwritten letters. And her penmanship is impeccable. She also plays tennis 3 times a week, runs a book club, takes care of a pup, her house, does her own taxes, drives, and hasn't slowed down one iota at 95 yrs of age. She is mentally as sharp as ever and still has a wicked drop shot on the tennis court. Oh...she also destroys her friends at Poker and Bridge. :)
Solid Mugs! Give her an attagirl from 4ever. She's a shining example of what made this country great. You know, when the going gets tough, the tough get going, aina?
Quote from: Jockey on September 19, 2024, 05:42:25 PM
Why would I insure those? I've never once had someone send a card back because it was damaged.
If I sell a set for $5G, then I get insurance. The only single cards I insure are Mantle cards in higher grades.
The same with Pokémon too, hey?
Quote from: Plaque Lives Matter! on September 19, 2024, 06:16:42 PM
Nuclear too expensive. Not gonna happen
Bill Gates doesnt think so. TerraPower baby!
95 year olds shouldn't be driving
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 19, 2024, 06:24:08 PM
Bill Gates doesnt think so. TerraPower baby!
We can talk in a few years when the cost overruns start coming in and scares away anyone in our deregulated decentralized utility structure from taking debt to finance a decade long low financial return project.
That is unless they rightfully subsidize the heck out of it (They won't enough to affect it) and significant permit reform to shorten the construction cycle. Even then you're asking someone to take on a $10b loan on an unprofitable product.
You are right about 95 year olds driving.
Probably should be hitting 3 woods.
Quote from: tower912 on September 19, 2024, 07:06:31 PM
You are right about 95 year olds driving.
Probably should be hitting 3 woods.
She drives without any issues whatsoever but only short distances. She's not your average 95 yr old Tower.
Quote from: MuggsyB on September 19, 2024, 07:27:23 PM
She drives without any issues whatsoever but only short distances. She's not your average 95 yr old Tower.
Umm...jesmu 84 posted the comment. Tower found a way to alter the comment and make a golf joke out of it.
Is it really
that difficult for you to comprehend posts?
Probably why you
always take the bait.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on September 19, 2024, 07:37:32 PM
Umm...jesmu 84 posted the comment. Tower found a way to alter the comment and make a golf joke out of it.
Is it really that difficult for you to comprehend posts?
Probably why you always take the bait.
And you always respond to him taking the bait.
Quote from: wadesworld on September 19, 2024, 07:59:42 PM
And you always respond to him taking the bait.
It's the Scoop version of Whack-a-Mole.
Quote from: MuggsyB on September 19, 2024, 05:01:08 PM
None of you listened to me when the Manatee Forever stamp at 68c came out. I bought 5 books.
My grandma is extremely savvy 4ever technologically. She just enjoys writing handwritten letters. And her penmanship is impeccable. She also plays tennis 3 times a week, runs a book club, takes care of a pup, her house, does her own taxes, drives, and hasn't slowed down one iota at 95 yrs of age. She is mentally as sharp as ever and still has a wicked drop shot on the tennis court. Oh...she also destroys her friends at Poker and Bridge. :)
Muggsy:
Your Grandma sounds like a Great Lady. You are rightfully proud of her . Gals like that with her level get up and go don't grow on trees. Wonderful that the two of you are able to keep a solid dialogue going over the mail.
Muggsy, treasure your grandmother. My wife lost hers in June, 2 months shy of her grandmother's 100th birthday. She, too was driving and living independently into her late 90s. Be grateful for the gift.
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 19, 2024, 05:29:00 PM
You be you. I know how economics works. You're the one who said they never heard energy independent being used in that context.
Still haven't.
Quote from: tower912 on September 19, 2024, 08:16:42 PM
Muggsy, treasure your grandmother. My wife lost hers in June, 2 months shy of her grandmother's 100th birthday. She, too was driving and living independently into her late 90s. Be grateful for the gift.
I'm extremely grateful. My grandma is the best. Sorry about your wife's grandma.
Muggsy
Your grandma sounds like a perfect grandma. Reading about how she lives her life put a big smile on my face. I hope you two are exchanging letters for a very long time.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on September 20, 2024, 06:02:23 AM
China doesn't think so.
In my best Herm voice, here is an excellent article on nulear financing:
https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/economic-aspects/financing-nuclear-energy (https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/economic-aspects/financing-nuclear-energy)
Trying to imagine Herman's voice.
Nope.
They are attempting to restart Palisades Nuclear plant in Southwest Michigan after it shut down a couple of years ago. Basically repurposing an old plant with new tech. It continues to be a fascinating learning experience.
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 20, 2024, 06:15:53 AM
In my best Herm voice, here is an excellent article on nulear financing:
https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/economic-aspects/financing-nuclear-energy (https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/economic-aspects/financing-nuclear-energy)
None of this matters. There is a subset of dunces in this country that immediately view any alternatives to fossil fuels as some attack on their way of life. Amongst these dunces are the pols in the pockets of the fossil fuels industry, on both sides of the aisle.
It's purely political.
Quote from: jesmu84 on September 19, 2024, 07:04:44 PM
95 year olds shouldn't be driving
Is your name actually Hovde? My mother wishes to contact you.
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 20, 2024, 06:15:53 AM
In my best Herm voice, here is an excellent article on nulear financing:
https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/economic-aspects/financing-nuclear-energy (https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/economic-aspects/financing-nuclear-energy)
Good article.
Deregulation led to a decrease in energy price, but also a decrease in innovation and reliability/maintenance. The US needs government funding (despite the lack of apatite for it) to build out new reactors with modern design. This spreads the costs out among the most amount of people.
I look at nuclear power as a necessity if we are to do away with burning fossil fuels. Solar and Wind are excellent sources of power, but have a variable supply depending on conditions... and we don't have an effective way to store the extra energy they currently produce for low supply moments. As a result, we are left to supply power on demand another way. Hydro is reliable, but is pretty destructive, disruptive, and of course the users need to be somewhat near the hydro plant. That leaves us with nuclear energy as the stop gap... since we're moving away from burning carbon. It can be increased and decreased at the flip of a switch to keep the power running when it is needed most or to supplement demand.
I understand that no one wants to pay more for electricity if they don't have to, but the other option is to keep pumping carbon into the atmosphere until our world dies. It seems like a decent solution to not ruin the planet for a couple of bucks... but I guess that's capitalism for you!
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 19, 2024, 03:55:08 PM
If we only used what we produced here, we would not be subject to the supply and demand issues.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/power-switch/2024/04/29/energy-independence-is-a-myth-candidates-dont-care-00154959
"And even if a country produces more than it consumes, oil is part of a global market. That means the fuel will still be exposed to international supply and demand disruptions that affect global prices, said Harrison Fell at North Carolina State University."
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 19, 2024, 05:29:00 PM
I know how economics works.
Yikes.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on September 20, 2024, 07:44:23 AM
Good article.
Deregulation led to a decrease in energy price, but also a decrease in innovation and reliability/maintenance. The US needs government funding (despite the lack of apatite for it) to build out new reactors with modern design. This spreads the costs out among the most amount of people.
I look at nuclear power as a necessity if we are to do away with burning fossil fuels. Solar and Wind are excellent sources of power, but have a variable supply depending on conditions... and we don't have an effective way to store the extra energy they currently produce for low supply moments. As a result, we are left to supply power on demand another way. Hydro is reliable, but is pretty destructive, disruptive, and of course the users need to be somewhat near the hydro plant. That leaves us with nuclear energy as the stop gap... since we're moving away from burning carbon. It can be increased and decreased at the flip of a switch to keep the power running when it is needed most or to supplement demand.
I understand that no one wants to pay more for electricity if they don't have to, but the other option is to keep pumping carbon into the atmosphere until our world dies. It seems like a decent solution to not ruin the planet for a couple of bucks... but I guess that's capitalism for you!
(https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExdzR2bnp6cGlkeWVncWNhZGxhZGF6MXNpMmU3b2NjMTZwa29nMWpoeiZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/3oeSAD00YsGzUPTmqA/giphy.webp)
Quote from: Hards Alumni on September 20, 2024, 07:44:23 AM
Good article.
Deregulation led to a decrease in energy price, but also a decrease in innovation and reliability/maintenance. The US needs government funding (despite the lack of apatite for it) to build out new reactors with modern design. This spreads the costs out among the most amount of people.
I look at nuclear power as a necessity if we are to do away with burning fossil fuels. Solar and Wind are excellent sources of power, but have a variable supply depending on conditions... and we don't have an effective way to store the extra energy they currently produce for low supply moments. As a result, we are left to supply power on demand another way. Hydro is reliable, but is pretty destructive, disruptive, and of course the users need to be somewhat near the hydro plant. That leaves us with nuclear energy as the stop gap... since we're moving away from burning carbon. It can be increased and decreased at the flip of a switch to keep the power running when it is needed most or to supplement demand.
I understand that no one wants to pay more for electricity if they don't have to, but the other option is to keep pumping carbon into the atmosphere until our world dies. It seems like a decent solution to not ruin the planet for a couple of bucks... but I guess that's capitalism for you!
Good stuff.
Maybe we should consider energy production as a societal good/requirement and not worry about ROI. Maybe even consider it as a national security issue.
When it comes to other national security needs, we don't worry about cost.
What does nuclear power have to do with delivering letters?
Quote from: Goose on September 20, 2024, 01:39:44 AM
Muggsy
Your grandma sounds like a perfect grandma. Reading about how she lives her life put a big smile on my face. I hope you two are exchanging letters for a very long time.
She is the perfect grandma Goose. And great grandma. No doubt about that. Although she wants me to get married and have kids. She has gone to nearly every sporting event of my niece and nephew's since they were tykes and did the same for my sister and I back in the day. She still cooks 3 times a week and gardens. My sister and Uncle have broached the subject of her eventually moving to an assisted living community, but she's very adamant about staying in her home. She also said "I'm not going to live with a bunch of old people that are dying". :)
Quote from: MuggsyB on September 20, 2024, 09:03:05 AM
She is the perfect grandma Goose. And great grandma. No doubt about that. Although she wants me to get married and have kids. She has gone to nearly every sporting event of my niece and nephew's since they were tykes and did the same for my sister and I back in the day. She still cooks 3 times a week and gardens. My sister and Uncle have broached the subject of her eventually moving to an assisted living community, but she's very adamant about staying in her home. She also said "I'm not going to live with a bunch of old people that are dying". :)
You're not married with kids? SMDH
Quote from: Uncle Rico on September 20, 2024, 09:08:38 AM
You're not married with kids? SMDH
I'm not the easiest person to deal with. Although my dog loves me. :)
Quote from: The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole on September 20, 2024, 07:45:47 AM
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/power-switch/2024/04/29/energy-independence-is-a-myth-candidates-dont-care-00154959
"And even if a country produces more than it consumes, oil is part of a global market. That means the fuel will still be exposed to international supply and demand disruptions that affect global prices, said Harrison Fell at North Carolina State University."
Yes, if we were energy independent is the actual sense of the phrase, the price of exported fuel would be subject to global issues. Since we would not be importing energy, the use internally would be more of a fixed cost. We would not be subject to import supply and demand issues.
Harrison fell is using independence in the sense of exports>imports. Hopefully you are learning about true energy independence.
Quote from: MuggsyB on September 20, 2024, 09:19:18 AM
I'm not the easiest person to deal with. Although my dog loves me. :)
You need to be making babies
Don't think I have seen it mentioned, but a major reason the USPS is in the red, is that by law they have to pre-fund their retirement, nearly no other govt agency and certainly not a private business has to do this.
https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/financials/annual-reports/fy2010/ar2010_4_002.htm#:~:text=Unlike%20any%20other%20public%20or,out%20until%20some%20future%20date.
https://ips-dc.org/how-congress-manufactured-a-postal-crisis-and-how-to-fix-it/
Quote from: lawdog77 on September 20, 2024, 09:30:44 AM
Yes, if we were energy independent is the actual sense of the phrase, the price of exported fuel would be subject to global issues. Since we would not be importing energy, the use internally would be more of a fixed cost. We would not be subject to import supply and demand issues.
Harrison fell is using independence in the sense of exports>imports. Hopefully you are learning about true energy independence.
You probably should read it again.
Quote from: reinko on September 20, 2024, 09:49:11 AM
Don't think I have seen it mentioned, but a major reason the USPS is in the red, is that by law they have to pre-fund their retirement, nearly no other govt agency and certainly not a private business has to do this.
https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/financials/annual-reports/fy2010/ar2010_4_002.htm#:~:text=Unlike%20any%20other%20public%20or,out%20until%20some%20future%20date.
https://ips-dc.org/how-congress-manufactured-a-postal-crisis-and-how-to-fix-it/
The alternative is Illinois. $200 billion public pension deficit.
Chicago's is more than $100 billion, if I recall correctly.
Yikes!
Quote from: dgies9156 on September 20, 2024, 10:02:21 AM
The alternative is Illinois. $200 billion public pension deficit.
Chicago's is more than $100 billion, if I recall correctly.
Yikes!
First, it's debt, not deficit. Pretty important distinction.
Second, your figures are way off. By tens of millions.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on September 20, 2024, 07:01:26 AM
None of this matters. There is a subset of dunces in this country that immediately view any alternatives to fossil fuels as some attack on their way of life. Amongst these dunces are the pols in the pockets of the fossil fuels industry, on both sides of the aisle.
It's purely political.
That's moreso my point. It could happen, but it won't. It's too expensive for US. For China, it's not.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on September 20, 2024, 07:44:23 AM
Good article.
Deregulation led to a decrease in energy price, but also a decrease in innovation and reliability/maintenance. The US needs government funding (despite the lack of apatite for it) to build out new reactors with modern design. This spreads the costs out among the most amount of people.
I look at nuclear power as a necessity if we are to do away with burning fossil fuels. Solar and Wind are excellent sources of power, but have a variable supply depending on conditions... and we don't have an effective way to store the extra energy they currently produce for low supply moments. As a result, we are left to supply power on demand another way. Hydro is reliable, but is pretty destructive, disruptive, and of course the users need to be somewhat near the hydro plant. That leaves us with nuclear energy as the stop gap... since we're moving away from burning carbon. It can be increased and decreased at the flip of a switch to keep the power running when it is needed most or to supplement demand.
I understand that no one wants to pay more for electricity if they don't have to, but the other option is to keep pumping carbon into the atmosphere until our world dies. It seems like a decent solution to not ruin the planet for a couple of bucks... but I guess that's capitalism for you!
There's an insane amount of battery storage startups popping up on the west coast. I think that's where this trends, personally. Texas particularly is all in on solar and wind despite what the loud drooling voices might say otherwise.
To repeat myself one more time, nuclear would be great. But the capitalistic economics aren't there and that is how this country is run. Case in point demanding an essential service like USPS having to be run like a break even business
Quote from: Plaque Lives Matter! on September 20, 2024, 12:14:29 PM
There's an insane amount of battery storage startups popping up on the west coast. I think that's where this trends, personally. Texas particularly is all in on solar and wind despite what the loud drooling voices might say otherwise.
To repeat myself one more time, nuclear would be great. But the capitalistic economics aren't there and that is how this country is run. Case in point demanding an essential service like USPS having to be run like a break even business
I'd be totally on board with that. Especially if the materials were easy to source.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on September 20, 2024, 12:29:54 PM
I'd be totally on board with that. Especially if the materials were easy to source.
Energy is really hard to store long term but it's getting much better. There's been some pretty interesting work going on involving advanced storage with hybrid wind/solar farms (peak energy demand often coincides with high generation of one or the other but not both).
Where you run into big problems with the equipment is aggressive production curtailment when demand is lower, so they're trying to figure out how to best minimize that through siphoning off the power into storage. Electricity degrades pretty quickly, but if they can come up with some solutions there they can manage the grid demand and production way better. Would be a game changer for managing rural grids.
There's so much open wasteland in Texas a lot of people pretty much realized they may as well generate power on it from free natural resources. Staffing these facilities is the real challenge but not relevant here.
Quote from: Plaque Lives Matter! on September 20, 2024, 12:14:29 PM
There's an insane amount of battery storage startups popping up on the west coast. I think that's where this trends, personally. Texas particularly is all in on solar and wind despite what the loud drooling voices might say otherwise.
I was thinking about commenting earlier how much battery capacity is growing, and how cheap it's getting, relatively. Thanks for chiming in.
Side note, read this article this morning. Illuminating...
https://www.vox.com/climate/372852/solar-power-energy-growth-record-us-climate-china
(https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Price-of-electricity-new-renewables-vs-new-fossil-no-geo_2426.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C9.5342941019482%2C100%2C80.931411796104&w=750)
Side note 2, my solar and powerwall installation was finished last week, yet it's disappointing I'll need to wait at least a few weeks more for Xcel to give "permission to operate". I really should have started the "power" thread a while ago.
USPS hasn't delivered anything to my house all week. But there's only one thing I think they should have delivered...
Quote from: rocky_warrior on September 20, 2024, 12:52:19 PM
I was thinking about commenting earlier how much battery capacity is growing, and how cheap it's getting, relatively. Thanks for chiming in.
Side note, read this article this morning. Illuminating...
https://www.vox.com/climate/372852/solar-power-energy-growth-record-us-climate-china
(https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Price-of-electricity-new-renewables-vs-new-fossil-no-geo_2426.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C9.5342941019482%2C100%2C80.931411796104&w=750)
Side note 2, my solar and powerwall installation was finished last week, yet it's disappointing I'll need to wait at least a few weeks more for Xcel to give "permission to operate". I really should have started the "power" thread a while ago.
USPS hasn't delivered anything to my house all week. But there's only one thing I think they should have delivered...
Sounds like you have some POWER being delivered to your home.
It sounds pretty cool.
Quote from: MuggsyB on September 20, 2024, 09:19:18 AM
I'm not the easiest person to deal with. Although my dog loves me. :)
The wealthiest woman in a small town had a dog that loved her dearly but growled or snapped at her friends who she knew perfectly well associated with her only because of her social status. When one of her "friends" asked why she kept that snarly dog, she replied "because he doesn't know how rich I am." ;D
Quote from: Pakuni on September 20, 2024, 10:21:17 AM
First, it's debt, not deficit. Pretty important distinction.
Second, your figures are way off. By tens of millions.
Brother Pakuni:
Whether it's a deficit or a debt, it's a shortfall that will either have to be made up by the taxpayers of the State of Illinois or through astronomical returns on
existing invested funds.
Secondly, assume I am off by tens of millions. Let's assume it's $100 million. That's 50 basis points, which in the greater scheme of things, is nothing!
Telling government workers, "we'll cover it later" is bad policy, as Illinois has shown.