Question: Betraying everybody equally- the one thing Benjamin Franklin certainly wouldn't have done.
Benjamin Franklin would definitely have betrayed everyone equally.

Answer: no

Question: The cord on it glistened.
The cord sparkled.

Answer: yes

Question: Moreover, understanding the net economic cost of the monopoly allows one to see how much universal service costs postal customers, at least under current institutional arrangements.
Postal consumers do pay a certain price for universal service as a result of the monopoly.

Answer:
yes