to say nothing of DOUBLING our postal charges, as I too live only a very short distance to a PO I do not want to subsidise regional and rural AP customers any more than I do already, thank you.

Yep, would definitely lead to higher prices for all.

Imagine the poor country postie who may travel 200km on his/her rounds each day as residences may be 5km apart in places.  Imagine having to lug around parcels and letters that they have to pick up along the way.  I think service would drop, not improve.

I do live in a regional area.  I don't have streetside delivery of mail, and I don't have a letterbox.  That aside, why shouldn't my city cousins subsidise me for choosing to live in the country? 😉 :^O