The USPS does not really promote direct mail marketing. It is actually a pain in the ass to go through the process of opening an account, obtaining an indicia, renting a Pitney Bose, and following the many rules of bulk mailing.
I have had the same experience of going through the process to opt out and have it work really well. Over the years, my junk mail has increased. I am going to follow the obviously.com site instructions to "renew" my opt out.
I had a neighbor in Idaho with a great sense of humor. He built a cool mail box and stenciled "Regular Mail" on the side. He then built a mail box that he stenciled "Air Mail" on the box and put it on a super tall poll over the first mail box. One night, I stenciled "Junk Mail" on an old metal trash can and put it out next to his cute mail boxs. I was drunk, but hey, it was funny anyway.
Junk mail sux.