The "New" Morning News

If you are anything like me, you probably turn on the morning television news while you are waking up with your morning cup of coffee. I usually only watch for less than 1/2 hour, but I am struck by how much of the time is spent on commercials and teasers (tantalizing pieces of news stories designed to get you to keep watching after the commercial). There is also a lot of repeated information such as weather and traffic.
I got to thinking, what I see everyday is old school television. What if it looked more like the internet. Here's what I propose: Drop the news anchor into a box in the corner; have continuous weather, sports ticker, traffic ticker, etc. There can always be a commercial running. The image above is what it might look like. More news, weather or traffic at a glance, continuous advertising .. what's not to like. You can watch for five minutes, and still the advertisers would get you to see their ads. Very efficient. Very helpful. Morning news MY way.

Post Office Ideas

So, I see in the news that the Post Office is losing money big-time. Regular readers know I have no lack of ideas. So here goes ... As I was driving to work today, it struck me that the Post Office (USPS) should run more like a business. Let me explain. There are currently two main ways to get your mail: 1) home delivery, and 2) post office box. I would think that home delivery costs more, since you need a vehicle to drive all around town. It's also more convenient. In most business plans, if something is more expensive to do, or easier for the consumer you charge more. The USPS does just the opposite. They deliver to your home for free, but charge you to go and pick it up. Here's my idea: flip the pricing scheme. Charge a "Home Delivery Surcharge" and provide a post office box free to anyone who wants it. This way, since it costs them more, they charge more. Yes, I realize this might mean expanding the post office building, but you can get rid of some mail trucks. They could also provide a senior citizen waiver of the surcharge if requested.
Oh, and btw, it's fine with me if they want to drop Saturday delivery.