Another 37 cent stamp has been issued for 45 cents. I think that's a bummer. When I discussed that with my postmaster he defended the idea. Millions of dollars have been sent to cancer research as a result of the breast cancer 37 cent stamp selling for 45 cents. All well and good. A worthwhile result.

But let's look at the concept. The United States Postal Service at its outset was dedicated to delivering the mail to United States citizens. But no longer. Now it has become a collection agency for non profit organizations.

Why is that wrong? For one thing that dilutes their energy. Oh not much. Just a little click on a button and the bookkeeping is handled and look at the benefits to the non profit. But it has to get some attention that is taken from mail delivery.

I don't for a minute doubt the honesty of the US Postal workers. But we have plenty of reasons to doubt the use of the money once delivered to the non profit. Just recall the scandal of United Way a few years ago when the CEO reaped millions for salary. United Way got a bad rap with that one but it points up a flaw in the collection by the USPS for non profits. In communities across the nation United Way maintains a local board that decides which participating non profit group in town gets to share in the bounty. And the board specifies what percentage goes to each. In my community the total collection is arbitrarily allocated among Boy Scouts, Planned Parenthood, Lutheran Services, Catholic Services, child services, and domestic violence.

The point is that with the new domestic violence stamp, United Way will pull in millions through the collection of the USPS and who will oversee its disbursement to prevent domestic violence? Certainly not the USPS. United Way can put it any place the local board chooses. Who will ever know?

Spare the unsuspecting public from the added cost of a regular postage stamp. Every non profit agency is lining up to be the next recipient of a taxpayer based collection agency.

The United States Postal Service is supported by tax dollars. I want my taxes to go for mail delivery. Period.