Email is hurting the US Postal Service.
Their latest 1.8% 1st class postage increase won't help much either, their critics say.
Lexington County mailers say postal reform is needed.
The Chronicle has absorbed increased costs of mailing the print editions to our subscribers.
How much longer we can do this is uncertain.
USPS officials say they aim to lose less money than they had expected.
An improving economy has brought in more mail and packages.
The USPS maintains its rates are still lower than FedEx, UPS and other private deliverers.
When 1st-class postage jumped from 50¢ to 55¢ in 2019, greeting-card volume plummeted, reversing 3 consecutive years of growth.
Greeting card makers argue that mailing cost increases will drive more mail out of the system.
About the only good news is that the 55¢ Forever Stamp hasn't risen.
The USPS has raised prices 1.8% for 1st-Class Mail and 1.5% for other postage. 
• A 1-oz letter stamp now costs 55¢. 
• More ounces rose from 15¢ to 20¢.
• Metered mail 1 oz price rose to 51¢.
• Postcard stamps rose to 36¢.
• 1-oz flat prices are still $1.
The Postal Service says it:
• Has the lowest letter-mail postage rates in the industrialized world.
• Receives no tax dollars for operating expenses.
• Relies on sales of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
 • Does not add surcharges for fuel, home delivery or regular Saturday delivery as some other shippers do.
Price change tables are available at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.
To commet, email JerryBellune@yahoo.com