Ahhhh - The United States Postal Service. Blood on the walls, cats and dogs, hamsters and rabbits sleeping together doom. Just what the heck is going on? Let me use an analogy to explain just what is going on - and mind you, this isn't a perfect analogy, but it's the best I can come up with.
Let's say you personally have One Million dollars you've saved up in the bank. You decide to withdraw some of the money to tide you over during some of the rough spots in this economy. So, you go down to the bank, and ask the teller, "Hello, I'd like to withdraw some of my One Million Dollars."
"Sorry," they reply. "You can't have it."
You answer back, "What do you mean I can't have it? It's my money!"
"Nope, you can't have it".
"I can't have it?" Now you're getting a bit irate. "Here's my bank statements and my paperwork proving I have it! The bill collectors will be on my ass if I miss a payment. Give me my money!"
"Nope! Can't have it!" Then they summon the guards and have you thrown out.
You try to figure out what to do next, so you immediately call up your friend John Doe. You've known John Doe all your life - he's a smart guy, able to solve anything.
"John! You've got to help me - you wouldn't believe this but I was just at the bank, and they won't let me withdraw some of my $1 Million to pay my bills!"
"You know what your problem is?" he replies, "That you're asking for a bailout."
"Huh? What?" is all you can manage to say.
"Yes, it's a bailout. What you need to do right now is sell your house, your business and your car - and quit asking for handouts."
"But it's my bleeping money!" you yell into the cellphone, but your friend John has already hung up.
The United States Postal Service has money just sitting in the bank to the amount of $70 to $75 Billion. Remember this is extra money in addition to the retirement benefits already covered. The problem is that the Post Office has this "friend" named Congress. A friend who not only won't let them withdraw the money from the bank, but is sticking a gun to its head demanding they deposit even more.
It's really that simple.