Postal Letter

Do Breast Cancer stamps sold at the post office constitute sexual discrimination at the federal level?

For those who aren't stateside, the US Postal Service sells 1st class postage stamps at a rate HIGHER than the current 1st class rate, and the proceeds in excess of the 1st class rate are distributed to Breast Cancer research organizations. Yes, it's voluntary - you certainly aren't required to buy the stamps, but is it discriminatory to provide a mechanism for fundraising for one sex and not the other? I see plenty of women buying those stamps, and it's entirely conceivable that men would purchase stamps if somebody bothered to even print them. Advocette, why should men HAVE to petition the US Postal Service to make stamps for men's diseases? As a matter of Federal Law, shouldn't the USPS have either a) denied the request from Breast Cancer activists on the grounds of discrimination or b) come out with some other stamp that would mitigate the discrimination? Now I know why no man has ever questioned this policy - as soon as you do, people think you WANT women to die of breast cancer. Sweet Jesus, You PC people are whacked out.

Public Comments

1. Men Get breast cancer as well. The rates are far far less than women, but if you are one of the guy (or a guy with a woman in his life who has it) you'd want as much research as possible
2. especially when noted that on average women's lifespans are longer. you'd think someone would be asking for donations for prostate cancer research. =/
3. Personally I would prefer people to be focused mainly on children's medical disorders more than breast cancer and/or prostate cancer. EDIT: If women got their breasts removed to prevent breast cancer from spreading they would still be alive. Whereas small, needy children who don't get their operations they desperately need would die! Sorry but 36DD cup bra sizes isn't what makes women valuable! If a guy thinks good looking women with extra large bra sizes are the best trophy chicks guys can have even though these broads are stupid then he is a loser!
4. Yes, Mr. Shark Baby, it is. I know we can count on you to lead the movement to get these stamps off the market, or introduce a stamp supporting funding for prostate or testicular cancer. I myself will be leading the movement to introduce a stamp supporting funding for muscular dystrophy research, as I have more experience with that. ETA: All special interest stamps began with a petition to the USPS. Did you think postal employees sit around at long tables trying to think up new ideas for stamps? Personally I don't think NFL players posters should be sold in the post office, so I don't buy them.
5. Absolutely not! Anything that can help any disgusting disease should be applauded and hopefully they can bring out other stamps to help combat other diseases.
6. I second 222 whole-heartedly on his answer. Well put.
7. It's only discrimination if the other sex is being denied the same mechanism. My guess is MRA's would rather complain about it than level the playing field, thus when the playing field is in fact not level, oh my word! it must be those darn feminists fault! Want something done? Get off your *** and do it. Your non-action is not our fault. EDIT: Think before you type sharkey. Do you think the USPS solicited these organizations to appear on their stamps? Or perhaps it was the organization that solicited USPS? So, if this is in fact such gross discimination on the federal level, why is this wee Y!A question the extent of the outrage? If not for this, what exactly is an MRA for? In answer to your question: "Advocette, why should men HAVE to petition the US Postal Service to make stamps for men's diseases? " Gee, I dunno, maybe because women HAVE to petition the USPS to make stamps for women's diseases?
8. It's entirely voluntary to purchase those stamps and they are going to research for one of the leading causes of death in women. How is that discriminatory? Its medical research. Are you a complete idiot, or just a chauvinistic pig?
9. Men can get breast cancer and are usually treated very late in the game because there is no standard for early detection as there is in women who are the predominant victims of this cancer. However with more hormones in our food system, we can surely count on breast cancer rates among men to increase. So it's important for all to contribute regardless of whether we do it for our mothers, sisters, or even brothers and fathers.
10. I would guess that the other Semi-Postal stamps aren't being considered. There is the Heroes Stamp and the Family Violence Stamp out there as well. Certainly, any national group that does fund raising can petition to be included in a Semi Postal stamp through the Stamp Advisory Board. But, don't you find it a bit curious that there has not been an MDA stamp or Red Cross stamp already? The Breast Cancer stamp has been around for what, about 7 years now?
11. Fundraising to help people with cancer should not be turned into some stupid gender issue. That's pathetic and disrespectful to those who suffer this dreadful disease. It's not about gender, it's about saving lives. Surely you can see that?
12. Discriminating. Yes. Illegal, no. Why not go there and tell them that you are interested in prostate cancer stamps.
13. Pressure was put on the postal service to offer them. Start an advocacy group to get prostate cancer stamps on the menu. BTW, though less common, men get breast cancer, too.
14. The reality is that the US Congress passed a law which mandated the US Postal Service produce the breast cancer stamp. The USPS really did not want to produce the stamp because they realized it was not fair to everyone else, but it was mandated by law. So if you think your illness needs a stamp, call your Congressperson, not the USPS.