In a time of economic trouble, forcing the Post Office to default and shut down would be disastrous. Not only to the 7 million employees of the USPS who would find themselves without a job, but to every individual that depends on the unique universal service offered by US Mail.
The current financial difficulties facing the USPS are in large part due to the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006, requiring Postal Service to pay 75 years worth of future retirement benefits in just 10 years, something no other government agency is required to do.
In addition, the USPS has overpaid about $82 billion into federal retirement programs.
Refunding at least some of the money that has been overpaid, and repealing the absurd 2006 law would completely avert this crisis and save the USPS.