Thursday, March 13, 2008

In the March 6 news story "Postal Service Feels Weight of 'Junk Mail,' " Maryland Del. Karen S. Montgomery (D-Montgomery) revealed astonishing shortsightedness with her "do not mail" bill.

The Postal Service does not create advertising mail; businesses do.

Standard mail is a proven tool that local, regional and national businesses depend on to market their products and services.

Creating government-mandated do-not-mail lists would limit businesses in their marketing efforts, add administrative costs and reduce revenue.

No one is forced to read a flier or advertisement. Is Ms. Montgomery going to target newspapers next, with their weekly and Sunday inserts, or does she save these by the bag?

Before reintroducing her bill, Ms. Montgomery should poll businesses in Maryland and in her own county. She should include not only the advertisers but also the printers, mail consolidators and others in this food chain.

She should keep her heavy hand off commerce, particularly in this slowing economy.

TERRY CARTER

Washington

The writer is a retired Postal Service executive.