Mav, The Post Office is not an agency of the Federal Government and receives NO tax money from it. It IS regulated by a Board of Governors established by the Fed. Govt. but it has been quasi-independent since 1972 when the re-organization took place.
The PO is required to provide universal mail service AND pay its own way. Not an easy job in todays economy. If you look at the percentage of price increase between a first class stamp and a 12 oz. can of coke in any supermarket you'll see what I mean.
If the USPS were subsidized like it was 50 years ago, we could still have 3 cent stamps but we would all be paying through out taxes. With the present system, them what uses, pays.

troll