Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, has stated that he will cosponsor an amendment to maintain six-day delivery

One way to stop the decline of the Postal Service would be to raise the price of postage, though that could result in fewer items being mailed — explaining the massive popularity of the forever stamp since its release in 2007. Another option — one that might make more fiscally conservative persons cringe — would be to provide federal assistance to the service.

in 2008 received an outlash of negative national attention — rightly so. Making the discussion even messier was news of Postal Service executives receiving large salaries despite record losses in 2011 and 2012 — though it’s worth noting that reported numbers for Postal Service executive salaries are much lower than many large bank executives’. It also seems that the service prides itself on running purely on delivery revenues, despite the financial pinching it faces.

While it is a touchy subject, the federal government spending money to keep the Postal Service afloat is a possible solution that the Editorial Board supports. While we understand the criticism such a plan would endure, we also understand the importance of keeping such an effective, historically rooted service alive. Doing so would help keep Americans employed and connected.

Whatever action is taken, we’re excited that Latham is acting in the interest of keeping snail mail alive.

Editorial: Keeping the USPS alive

Congressman Tom Latham announced last week that he is co-sponsoring an Amendment To Keep Six Day Mail Delivery

Iowa Congressman Tom Latham today announced that he will co-sponsor an amendment with Representative José Serrano (D-NY) to the FY2015 House Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act that maintains six day delivery for the U.S. Postal Service.

“While the USPS absolutely needs to continue steps to improve cost saving measures, those steps should not come at the expense of providing for the Iowans and all other Americans who rely upon routine postal delivery. Last year, I joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in sending a letter to Post Master General Donahue explaining how important six day mail delivery is for those who live in rural areas and those who receive lifesaving medicines on Saturdays – that fact has not changed. I am also concerned about any proposals that could eliminate small town post offices or hurt those rural business that rely on Saturday mail.”

“The US Postal Service must take a hard look at methods to improve their efficiency in efforts to save money and retain invaluable services. Moving to a five day mail delivery is not the answer” said Latham.