My opinion why the future of USPS is positive:

-USPS will remain the most efficient means of "Last Mile Delivery" simply due to the MASS amount of offices / real estate that USPS owns already.

-Fedex/UPS/Amazon contractors will not be able to sustain a model of 7 day delivery in ANY true rural territory.

-USPS is able to send out a courier with Advos/Mail/Non profits that help cover the cost for driving to a delivery point.

-USPS is the most efficient means of Scheduled Parcel PICKUPS (Currently UPS and Fedex are often paying USPS to pickup parcels) - This is Essentially "First Mile Delivery" and becoming VERY VERY popular in Rural zones for internet businesses and allows for a very EASY return policy for online retailers.

-USPS is destined to become a major E-COMMERCE Subsidy (Along with other National Postal Brands across the World).

-Automation will never take over what a Human Courier can do efficiently and safely. This is insane to even argue.

-Automation will likely kill a lot of USPS management, and non mail-handling careers - making the model sustainable and profitable for career carriers.