Letters: Kansas Rep. Roger Marshall right on USPS’ value, but not its history

Words, inaction

In his Sunday guest commentary, “Kansans rely on the Postal Service and I’ll stand up for it,” (23A) U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall touts his support for the Postal Preservation Act, which would appropriate $25 billion to the U.S. Postal Service. But his own website (marshall.house.gov) states he voted no Saturday on another bill that would provide exactly that amount to the post office.

He’s giving the false impression that he supports the Postal Service when he doesn’t. He only supports the post office when he’s talking to Kansans — not when he’s in Washington, D.C.

This is not the kind of representation we need from a congressman or a senator. We need someone who will represent us in both places.

- Michael Hansen, Olathe

Real history

Rep. Roger Marshall: As a Kansan, I appreciate your service in Congress, your membership in the Postal Preservation Caucus and specifically your support for the Postal Preservation Act.

However, your contention in your Sunday op-ed in The Star that “the U.S. Postal Service traces its roots back to the Pony Express” is not based in fact, nor backed up by the historical record.

Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first postmaster general during the Second Continental Congress in 1775. The U.S. Constitution, which defines Congress’ authority to “establish Post Offices and post Roads” (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 7) also predates the Pony Express, which was founded in 1860.

- Rob Scott, Overland Park