There are few images more heartbreakingly depressing than an elderly person who eagerly awaits the daily delivery of mail — even junk mail — just so they’ll have something to look at that afternoon. But according to Nevada Senator Harry Reid, this is precisely why everything must be done to save the U.S. Postal Service.

Speaking yesterday to his fellow Senators, Reid really sucked the air out of the room with this part of his “Save the USPS” speech:

Elderly Americans rely on the United States Postal Service… I’ll come home to my home here in Washington and there will be some mail there. A lot of it is what some people refer to as junk mail. But for the people that are sending that mail, it’s very important. And, talking about seniors — Seniors LOVE to get junk mail. It’s sometimes their only way of communicating or feeling they’re part of the real world.

We think he then went on to explain the need to keep open rural post offices, but honestly, we were too distracted by the thought of our older loved ones sitting alone in a dimly lit room, flinching every time there’s a sound that resembles a mailbox being opened.

Sen. Reid: Junk Mail Is Seniors ‘Only Way Of Communicating Or Feeling Like They’re Part Of The Real World’ [Mediaite.com]

Thanks to Wayne for the tip!

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