The stamp that says 'forever'

When it comes to efficiency, creativity and customer satisfaction, the U.S. government isn't the first organization that pops to mind. But the U.S. Postal Service is thinking outside the mailbox these days. And the new "forever" postage stamp may well be a way to take the hassle out of those annoying penny increases in postage rates, while helping Americans avoid being nickel and dimed to death by increases.

People could buy the new stamps at the going rate, lock them away, then haul them out and use them when the rates went up. The "forever" stamp would then be sold for the new rate. People with a bankroll could stockpile a lifetime supply — as long as they could keep them from sticking together or getting lost in a cupboard.

The idea still the needs a thumbs up from the Postal Rate Commission, but since the commissioner has been pushing for the stamps, rubber stamp approval is all but guaranteed. Postal rates bounced two pennies just four months ago, and they are now about to climb again, so buying "forevers" would be a hedge for the future.

And rates will rise. Every time the price of a gallon of gasoline goes up one penny, the post office takes an $8 million hit. This year, the postal service will finish about $2 billion in the red. Costs will be passed along. The price of first-class postage is about reach 42 cents. With luck, the agency will break even by 2008.

"Forever" stamps would go on sale in May 2007.

Since the idea is pretty much a done deal, the real question becomes — Who will grace the face of the "forever" stamp? A poetic choice would be singer Randy Travis ("Forever and ever, Amen"). Some might prefer something more "eternal" — Lady Liberty, maybe. Of course people did get a kick out of voting for the "fat" or "skinny" Elvis. Maybe another election is in order.

And who knows? Maybe Elvis will win again. Then the post office would save even more money. It surely has those old "fat" Elvis plates lying around somewhere.