The base rate for mailing any type of a package (and that includes bubble envelopes) that weighs one ounce or less is $1.22. Since you are doing this online, they are only charging you 19 cents for tracking, instead of the 80 cents you would have to pay if done manually. So, the $1.41 is the cheapest rate you are going to get.
Shipping the same package that weighs 5 ounces with delivery confirmation is only $2.07. So, they need a minimum fee per package sent and you are obviously hitting that minimum. Annoying, I know.
It will only get worse in the future, as they lose more business. Many bills are now handled electronically and this will increase as companies start charging extra to mail a physical bill.
Netflix won't help, most content will be delivered over the internet in the future - its already starting to happen.
So what's left? Packages and junk mail. And SOMEBODY has to pay enough so that mail carriers can earn $60k+ per year....
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