Side note:
This is already underway.
USPS is starting with "bulk discount" mail but has published
plans to extend same to all stamps.
.....
The US Postal Service proposed a new rule in the Federal Register
today that would require senders of discounted mail to identify
themselves on the envelope/package.
Although individuals typically do not use discounted mail, it is
clear from the information in the rule that USPS is moving toward
sender identification for all mail users. Check out the last sentence:
[...]
"As background, two congressional committees urged the Postal
Service to explore the concept of sender identification, including
``the feasibility of using unique, traceable identifiers applied by
the creator of the mail piece.'' S. Rept. 107-212, p. 50; see also
H. Rept. 107-575, p. 46. The President's Commission on the United
States Postal Service recently recommended the use of sender
identification for every piece of mail. ``Embracing the Future,''
Report of the President's Commission on the United States Postal
Service (July 31, 2003) pp. 147-8. Requiring sender-identification
for discount rate mail is an initial step on the road to intelligent
mail."
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access
.gpo.gov/2003/03-26438.htm
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access
.gpo.gov/2003/pdf/03-26438.pdf
&
http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20031026-124606-8419r.htm
'Smart stamps' next in war on terrorism
By Audrey Hudson
Published October 26, 2003
Sending an anonymous love letter or an angry note to your
congressman? The U.S. Postal Service will soon know who you are.
Beginning with bulk or commercial mail, the Postal Service will
require "enhanced sender identification" for all discount-rate
mailings, according to the notice published in the Oct. 21 Federal
Register. The purpose of identifying senders is to provide a more
efficient tracking system, but more importantly, to "facilitate
investigations into the origin of suspicious mail."
.......