Trump urged postmaster general to double rates on Amazon: report

[kevindavis007]

President Trump has reportedly urged the U.S. postmaster general to double shipping rates for Amazon.com and other companies amid months of his continued criticism that the online retailer is costing the Postal Service "billions" of dollars in revenue.

Trump has personally met with Postmaster General Megan Brennan multiple times since 2017 to petition her for a hike on rates for Amazon and other firms that ship packages, The Washington Post reported Friday, citing officials familiar with the conversations.

The president's demands came despite counsel from close advisers and top Postal Service employees that Amazon, the largest shipper of packages through USPS, actually helps keep it afloat financially.

Read More: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/388355-trump-pushed-postmaster-general-to-double-rates-on-amazon

[ABX]

She should tell him to F.O. he is not her boss. The Post Office is a independent NGA (non governmental agency) . It hasn't been a cabinet level agency since 1971.

[RoosGirl]

Except the Postmaster General cannot change postage rates.

[corbe]

    This Trump vs. Bezo fight is not gonna end well for the millions of Amazonians out there and with Gas approaching $3/gal it's a lose/lose for the American consumer

[Cyber Liberty]

[kevindavis007]

Trump needs to leave Amazon alone.

[goodwithagun]

Amazon is already working on their own shipping methods. Charging them double will only make that happen sooner. This will not end well for Trump.

[Cyber Liberty]

Amazon is already working on their own shipping methods. Charging them double will only make that happen sooner. This will not end well for Trump.

It's stupid.  I don't know why he thinks this is a good target....

[kevindavis007]

It's stupid.  I don't know why he thinks this is a good target....

If Bezos didn't own the Washington Post, he would leave Amazon alone.

[Cyber Liberty]

If Bezos didn't own the Washington Post, he would leave Amazon alone.

That's what makes it stupid.  It's obvious as heck why he's attacking Amazon.

[edpc]

Donald J. Trump
✔
@realDonaldTrump

I have stated my concerns with Amazon long before the Election. Unlike others, they pay little or no taxes to state & local governments, use our Postal System as their Delivery Boy (causing tremendous loss to the U.S.), and are putting many thousands of retailers out of business!

6:57 AM - Mar 29, 2018


OK, someone help me out.  As a lowly thousandaire who doesn't have an accountant, I don't understand this tax avoidance nonsense.  Wasn't one of the points of signing tax reform lowering corporate taxes?  Don't state and local governments often give businesses tax incentives to attract them to their areas?  Aren't those things Trump looks for when building a property?  This particular wine is bursting with hypocrisy and has bitter notes of envy.

[Gefn]

Is that why Amazon Prime is going up $20 ?

[Cyber Liberty]

Donald J. Trump
✔
@realDonaldTrump

I have stated my concerns with Amazon long before the Election. Unlike others, they pay little or no taxes to state & local governments, use our Postal System as their Delivery Boy (causing tremendous loss to the U.S.), and are putting many thousands of retailers out of business!

6:57 AM - Mar 29, 2018


OK, someone help me out.  As a lowly thousandaire who doesn't have an accountant, I don't understand this tax avoidance nonsense.  Wasn't one of the points of signing tax reform lowering corporate taxes?  Don't state and local governments often give businesses tax incentives to attract them to their areas?  Aren't those things Trump looks for when building a property?  This particular wine is bursting with hypocrisy and has bitter notes of envy.

It's bursting with ignorance on his part too.  Sales Tax is collected on most Amazon purchases now.

[Cyber Liberty]

Is that why Amazon Prime is going up $20 ?

No, that will be next year's excuse. 

[Formerly Once-Ler]

She should tell him to F.O. he is not her boss. The Post Office is a independent NGA (non governmental agency) . It hasn't been a cabinet level agency since 1971.

Some people are not so brave when the President of the United States intimidates them.  If the Post Master General does not want the President's twitter attention, or his enthusiastically loyal brownshirts knocking on his door, he will obey the King.

[ABX]

Donald J. Trump
✔
@realDonaldTrump

I have stated my concerns with Amazon long before the Election. Unlike others, they pay little or no taxes to state & local governments, use our Postal System as their Delivery Boy (causing tremendous loss to the U.S.), and are putting many thousands of retailers out of business!

6:57 AM - Mar 29, 2018


OK, someone help me out.  As a lowly thousandaire who doesn't have an accountant, I don't understand this tax avoidance nonsense.  Wasn't one of the points of signing tax reform lowering corporate taxes?  Don't state and local governments often give businesses tax incentives to attract them to their areas?  Aren't those things Trump looks for when building a property?  This particular wine is bursting with hypocrisy and has bitter notes of envy.

Simple answer, he is parroting Bernie Sanders and lying through his teeth.

[GrouchoTex]

Capitalism for me, but not for thee....

[Applewood]

Trump is just pizzed because Jeff Bezos' other company, The Washington Post, doesn't publish adoring articles about him.  He can't interfere in the Post without violating freedom of the press, so he is going after Amazon. 

Seems to me he is interfering with a business' operations and is trying to use his office to ruin companies he doesn't like.  I should think both are illegal.  But really who is going to stop him?  Certainly not the present lazy, corrupt congress. 

[kevindavis007]

Well if Trump is successful on his war against Amazon, I bet you that a Dem administration will go after Walmart.

[Sanguine]

Trump needs to leave Amazon alone.

Yes, he does.

[Sanguine]

Donald J. Trump
✔
@realDonaldTrump

I have stated my concerns with Amazon long before the Election. Unlike others, they pay little or no taxes to state & local governments, use our Postal System as their Delivery Boy (causing tremendous loss to the U.S.), and are putting many thousands of retailers out of business!

6:57 AM - Mar 29, 2018


OK, someone help me out.  As a lowly thousandaire who doesn't have an accountant, I don't understand this tax avoidance nonsense.  Wasn't one of the points of signing tax reform lowering corporate taxes?  Don't state and local governments often give businesses tax incentives to attract them to their areas?  Aren't those things Trump looks for when building a property?  This particular wine is bursting with hypocrisy and has bitter notes of envy.

I pay state taxes whenever I buy anything from Amazon.

[Sanguine]

Is that why Amazon Prime is going up $20 ?

No, I think that's because they can.  It's valuable enough to enough people to pay that amount.

[ABX]

I pay state taxes whenever I buy anything from Amazon.

It is kind of complicated and dependent on where a distribution center is located.

Some states don't have sales tax on online purchases, and that is a good thing.

After all, taxation is theft and the right should be about eliminating as many as possible, not using them to punish political opponents.

[ABX]

No, I think that's because they can.  It's valuable enough to enough people to pay that amount.

They are also offering a lot more services since they started that original pricing model. Unlimited cloud storage for photos, prime reading, prime video is growing, prime pantry samples, same day delivery in some areas....

[libertybele]

Is that why Amazon Prime is going up $20 ?

I've been wondering the same thing.  In the same light, it's not like Amazon is hurting and they aren't making an enormous profit.  I know it's only $20, but I'm not sure that extra money is worth renewing my prime membership.  I watch a movie once in awhile and order stuff once in awhile, but I don't think I use Amazon enough to warrant the money.