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The Cost of Stamps
 Jessica Ann
As of Sunday, January 22nd, the cost of stamp in the United States is now officially one cent higher, rising from 44 to 45 cents. According to Postmaster General Patrick Donahue, the increase is "small" and needed to help address our current financial crisis.
Not so surprisingly, people are not that upset about the one-cent cost increase in the cost of stamp. In fact, most just do not care. Is this an age in which stamps have largely become obsolete? Do people use stamps anymore?
Back in the day, paper mail was an everyday fact of life, and all mail needs a stamp for its journey through the post. Before paperless bank statements and e-mails via internet, every bill and written message from a friend came through the mail. Today, most mail is junk, bills are paid effortlessly online, and e-mails are sent across the world with the click of a mouse. Thus, it seems the art of the stamp may be in danger of fading away.
Can the stamp make a comeback? There is still a healthy number of stamp collectors around the world: people who value stamps for their historical significance, uniqueness, detail, and overall beauty. But one does not have to be a stamp collector to value the stamp (and the low cost of stamp!).
While e-mails are efficient, they lack the charm and personal touch of a handwritten letter. It is always nice to hear from a dear, faraway friend; it is even nicer when that friend takes the time to handwrite a letter. Plus, it never hurts to spend less time on a computer or any of the other many mobile devices at hand. Writing a letter can provide a much-needed break from today's hi-tech, super-connected world.
Once a letter is complete and ready to go, an assortment of stamps can be found at any local post office for a special touch and a deeper appreciation for the stamp.
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