the attitude with arnie arnesen the wed edition dec 31

[Arnie Arnesen]

The Attitude with Arnie Arnesen

opening thoughts: big changes as USPS

producers: Dave Scott and Stephanie Collins

Chloé LaCasse (the best of the attitude)

streaming live at wnhnfm.org noon & 7pm EST on the dial-94.7FM Concord NH

podcasts available at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attitude-with-arnie-arnesen/id1634055179

opening thought:

be warned be prepared...and as an astute bluesky user noted this could have a major impact on mail in voting giving Trump what he wants (banning mail in voting) without his fingerprints all over the policy.

As of 12/24/25, USPS changed policy on when they postmark mail. Mail dropped off is no longer guaranteed a same-day postmark. Tax returns & other time-sensitive items are now stamped when they reach a regional processing center, which may be days later. Plan deadlines accordingly to avoid penalties.

https://nstp.org/article/usps-announces-changes-postmark-date-system?fbclid=IwY2xjawPAE0VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe0ggjKejqHu_VPavs7kF15FKo0dM1J3sFwOnh-0U1d4D49e7f-5bCICLfWag_aem_CUt-A7yCuYObmWC_orIYSQ

Impact on Postmarking Timing: The rule clarifies that the date displayed on a machine-applied postmark represents the "date of the first automated processing operation" performed at a processing facility, rather than the date the mail was dropped off.

• Potential Delays: Because most postmarks are applied at processing facilities, the date inscribed may be later than the date the mail piece was first accepted by the USPS. This discrepancy is expected to become more common due to the implementation of the "Regional Transportation Optimization" (RTO) initiative and the adoption of "leg-based" service standards.
• Operational Reality: The rule codifies the operational reality that postmarking operations often cross calendar days or occur after transportation from a retail unit, meaning the postmark date is not a "perfectly reliable indicator" of the date of mailing.

Ensuring a Postmark on the Date of Delivery: To assure a postmark is applied on the same day a document is delivered to the USPS, individuals must utilize specific retail services. The final rule outlines the following methods:

• Request a Manual Postmark: Customers may present a mail piece at a retail counter and request a "manual (local) postmark". This postmark is applied at the time of acceptance, so the date aligns with the date the USPS took possession.
• Postage Validation Imprint (PVI): When a customer pays for postage at a retail counter, the PVI label applied by the employee also indicates the date of acceptance.
• Certificates of Mailing: Customers may purchase a Certificate of Mailing, or use Registered or Certified Mail, to obtain a receipt that serves as evidence of the date the item was presented for mailing

This change in USPS processes will have a potentially significant impact on tax filings. IRC §7502 specifically relies upon the postmark date applied to an envelope to determine timely filing if the document is not physically delivered to the IRS office by the due date for such document.

part one:

To Be Black, Female, and Unemployed

How unemployment in the Trump era shapes Black women’s lives when maternal care and food choices are in the mix. https://prospect.org/2025/12/04/black-female-and-unemployed/

Naomi Bethune is the John Lewis Writing Fellow at The American Prospect. During her time studying philosophy and public policy at UMass Boston, she edited the opinions section of The Mass Media. Prior to joining the Prospect, she interned for Boston Review and Beacon Press.

part two:

Why Russell Vought Is Worse Than Watergate Conservatives used to think you could be a political hatchet artist or you could serve the Lord. Now they say: Why choose?  https://newrepublic.com/article/204440/russell-vought-monster-worse-watergate-2025

Timothy Noah is a New Republic staff writer and author of The Great Divergence: America’s Growing Inequality Crisis and What We Can Do About It.

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KEEPING THE POT STIRRED SO SCUM DOESN'T RISE TO THE TOP -  Anonymous 

D. ARNIE ARNESEN
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Host of "The Attitude with Arnie Arnesen"

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