An unprovable but curious phenomenon observable since the days of the Roman Empire is that when nations (or empires) first began to decline, one of first indications was the decline of their mail service.

The U.S. Postal Service announced the “consolidation” or closure of 82 distribution centers last year, but the true picture is more disturbing. Since 2005, total processing centers have declined from 675 to 238. The postal service’s estimate that these closures would delay first-class mail delivery only from an average of 2.14 days to 2.25 days seems to have widely missed the mark.

• Delivery of Netflix movie DVDs between Waterville and the postal service’s Portland delivery center has increased from 3 days to 4-5 days. Netflix arranged to be notified by the postal service when a DVD is first scanned in Waterville and then immediately mails out a new DVD out, without actually receiving the old one.

• I recently received a first-class mailing envelope from Canada that was mailed 12 days ago. Did I miss the rise of some new mountain range on our common border that now necessitates a long trek by pack mule to traverse?

There are many reasons for the decline in our mail service, from congressional percunery and unusual obligations, to union rules and a decrease in mailings, all of which increase costs and force the postal service to save money by cutting service. Those facts are undeniable.

Unfortunately, the indication for the future history of our nation also may be undeniable.

Paul W. Dutram

Waterville