From my mailbox today:

August 27, 2008

Dear Subscriber,

As a subscriber who has chosen to pay for your subscription through our Easy Pay Plus plan, you are among our most valued subscribers and wisest readers. That is why we are writing you today to let you know about an upcoming change in our rates.

Effective September 29, 2008, your new rate will be $19.50 per month. That is an increase of less than four cents per day. While our Easy Pay Plus rate has not changed in over two and a half years, fuel costs have increased dramatically as you well know, as well as newsprint costs. We feel that it is appropriate to help our carriers offset these increased fuel costs and enable us to retain carriers who will provide good service to valued customers like you.

We know that you recognize the value and convenience of paying for your subscription with the most economical rate that we offer. We are equally sure that you recognize the value of the news and information, entertainment and many saving values found in the Journal Star everyday.

Thank you for continuing to be a loyal and valued Journal Star reader.

Sincerely,
Bruce Nielsen
Circulation Manager

Considering they put all their content on the web for free, I would like Mr. Nielsen to explain to me what benefits I’m getting by paying almost $20 a month for the “dead tree version,” as Billy Dennis calls it. Billy gets the same news I get, only he gets it for nothing, and I pay over $200 a year for it. As one of the Journal Star’s “wisest readers,” why shouldn’t I cancel my subscription?