Podcast Argues Postal Service Must Remain Public

"People of Agency" podcast highlights the importance of USPS and warns against privatization efforts.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The "People of Agency" podcast, hosted by Aileen Day and Maia Warner-Langenbahn, argues that the United States Postal Service (USPS) must remain a public entity and not be privatized. The podcast uses historical anecdotes and data to demonstrate how USPS is a vital institution that serves remote and underserved communities, and how privatization efforts led by the Trump administration and others could dismantle this universal service.

Why it matters

The USPS is a critical public service that provides affordable and reliable mail delivery to all Americans, including those in remote and rural areas. Privatizing the USPS could jeopardize this universal service and leave many communities without affordable access to mail and package delivery.

The details

The podcast highlights how the USPS operates under a "universal service with uniform rates" creed, which forces it to deliver mail and packages to even the most remote locations. This allows private companies like FedEx and UPS to rely on the USPS to handle the "hardest, least profitable part of their business." The podcast warns that privatizing the USPS could lead to the dismantling of its employee base that enables this universal service.

  • The "People of Agency" podcast launched in November 2025.
  • In 2024 and 2025, the USPS lost more than $9 billion.
  • Last year, former President Trump signaled he could explore options to lodge the USPS under the Department of Commerce, which could lead to a form of privatization.

The players

Aileen Day

A political strategist who works often in Cleveland and is a co-host of the "People of Agency" podcast.

Maia Warner-Langenbahn

A co-host of the "People of Agency" podcast.

United States Postal Service (USPS)

The national postal service of the United States, which the podcast argues must remain a public entity and not be privatized.

Donald Trump

The former president who signaled he could explore options to lodge the USPS under the Department of Commerce, which could lead to a form of privatization.

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What they’re saying

“The U.S. Postal Service is the quiet workhorse behind billion dollar giants. FedEx, UPS, Amazon—they all depend on it to do the hardest, least profitable part of their business: delivering to every remote cabin, dirt road and mailbox they won't touch themselves.”

— Aileen Day, Co-host, "People of Agency" podcast (Cleveland Scene)

“I would really love for people to understand the Postal Service more, interact with our workers more, use the institution more honestly by sending mail, receiving mail, all of the above, but also understand how fragile it is.”

— Aileen Day, Co-host, "People of Agency" podcast (Cleveland Scene)

What’s next

There are two bills shuffling through both the House and Senate meant to formalize USPS as a public entity, 'independent of the Federal Government.'

The takeaway

The "People of Agency" podcast highlights the vital role the USPS plays in providing universal and affordable mail and package delivery to all Americans, and warns that privatization efforts could dismantle this essential public service.