You are a lamp unto my feet.

We're in a recession. The economy is tanking. You need to spend more money to be patriotic and save the country. (Or so the media and government would have you believe.)

The government is doing its part. Postage prices are rising again. (As before, I inform you as a public service, since these things never get announced to the public any more.) Here's the entire text of the e-mail from NMSU's director of mail services.

Here is the update on the prices that will go up on May 11, 2009. Please go to the first link to view the pricechanges, and if you cannot access the hyperlink from this email, please cut and paste the link into your internet browser. Page 10 of the ratefold lists the new prices for FC letter mail.

As a reminder, the USPS will be closed on February 16, 2009 on the Federal observed holiday of President’s Day. There will be no delivery nor will mail be available for pickup.

DMM Advisory
Pricing and Classification — keeping you informed about the prices and mailing standards of the United States Postal Service

May 11 Pricing Change

We have tools at usps.com/prices/pricechanges.htm to help you prepare for the May 11 mailing services pricing change. You will find many helpful materials, including the updated Price List with new prices for First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services, and Special Services. We’ve also posted our Federal Register notices, and downloadable price files will be available soon. We’ll use the DMM Advisory to keep you updated.

The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) is available on Postal Explorer (pe.usps.com). To subscribe to the DMM Advisory, send an e-mail to dmmadvisory@usps.com. Simply indicate "subscribe" in the subject line.

Remember, the more e-mail you send, the fewer stamps you buy, which means everyone else has to bear the fuel costs through higher stamp prices. Help keep prices low -- send a letter today!