Going Postal

Going Postal is a national issue that deals with a national economic system, particularly with the privatization or public operation of a postal system. This issue gives nations a chance to move towards a more capitalist or socialist economy. The issue also makes two assumptions about the name of the current government postal system, @@NAME@@ MAIL, and the name of a private courier service PostHaste. It is not clear if PostHaste is a domestic or international company, though for the purpose of this issue it does not matter.

This issue is the fourth issue submitted by Emperor Matthuis that has been added to NationStates.

Issue

It has come to your attention that there is some serious debate over whether @@NAME@@'s postal service should be either privatised or nationalised.

Debate options

1. "The postal system ought to be privatised," says @@RANDOMNAME@@, Director of PostHaste, a small package delivery company. "All the government is doing is putting the tax @@CURRENCY@@ of hard-working citizens into an outmoded and wasteful system. Private businesses can offer a much more efficient system with less junk mail. A little more expense on stamps is worth that right?"
2. "Uh huh? And what about those in rural or remote areas?" asks @@RANDOMNAME@@, the CEO of @@NAME@@ Mail, the government-owned postal service. "If you privatise this business then they'll get marginalised and ignored. With a nationalised service everyone can use the system and cheaply too. We provide a good service for our customers and have been doing so for a very long time! The postal service should be nationalised and all competition banned!"
3. "There's plenty of room for compromise," says @@RANDOMNAME@@, a stamp collector. "How about we just privatise the mail system and allow other competitors to move in but continue with government funding to @@NAME@@ Mail? That way everyone can get their post and the companies can have their own slice of the pie. It'll require an increase in tax to cope with losses to competition but not too much. I think. To be frank, I just want more stamps."

Domestic impacts

Option 1

The following game text is added to nations choosing this option:

urban high-volume mailers now receive their mail via chauffeur-driven limousines

It is believed that the first option decreases taxes and government size, while slightly increasing Economic Freedoms and significantly increasing income disparity.

Option 2

The following game text is added to nations choosing this option:

postmen have been arrested in job lots for selling junk mail as home insulation

It is believed that the second option slightly increases government size, while slightly decreasing Economic Freedoms and significantly decreasing income disparity.

Option 3

The following game text is added to nations choosing this option:

the government has recently relinquished its hold on the postal service

It is believed that the third option raises taxes.

United Nations impact

tba

Additional materials

• List of Issues
• NationStates Issues Thread on jolt forums discussing national issues