This is why the Postal Service can’t have nice things

by Stephan Tawney on October 20, 2011

Your government at work.

When Chris opened a letter from the Indiana Election Division, he was curious why in the world there would be a small Styrofoam cube inside the envelope. Luckily for everyone involved, there was an explanation.

Think of the dumbest explanation possible. Then throw it out and replace it with “just because we have to”.

The Styrofoam cube enclosed in this envelope is being included by the sender to meet a United States Postal Service regulation. This regulation requires a first class letter or flat using the Delivery or Signature Confirmation service to become a parcel and that it “is in a box or, if not in a box, is more than 3/4 of an inch thick at its thickest point.” The cube has no other purpose and may be disposed of upon opening this correspondence.

The extra expense is required because the Postal Service says it is. Why? Because shut up, that’s why.

And to think they’re having financial problems.



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