Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I was just finishing Castro's autobiography, and wondered, what is Obama's view on re-establishing relations with Cuba. Anyone know? Is he just like the rest? Keep Cuba down on its knees? Hello, legal travel for all to Cuba. Why not end the embargo?> I know we do sell foodstuffs and medicine to Cuba. Or better yet, what does McCain think of Cuba? The terrorism the US inflicts on Cuba should definately stop, if 'we' are fighting 'terrorism' in the world...heh'...lets take classes at school of the americas.
I was just finishing Castro's autobiography, and wondered, what is Obama's view on re-establishing relations with Cuba. Anyone know? Is he just like the rest? Keep Cuba down on its knees? Hello, legal travel for all to Cuba. Why not end the embargo?> I know we do sell foodstuffs and medicine to Cuba. Or better yet, what does McCain think of Cuba? The terrorism the US inflicts on Cuba should definately stop, if 'we' are fighting 'terrorism' in the world...heh'...lets take classes at school of the americas.
I've been told that Cuba's brand of socialism works, so they should be able to produce their own medicine and grow enough food with their superior collectivized agriculture and not rely on the evil capitalist system and the bourgeoisie vice known as "tourism".
I was just finishing Castro's autobiography, and wondered, what is Obama's view on re-establishing relations with Cuba. Anyone know? Is he just like the rest? Keep Cuba down on its knees? Hello, legal travel for all to Cuba. Why not end the embargo?> I know we do sell foodstuffs and medicine to Cuba. Or better yet, what does McCain think of Cuba? The terrorism the US inflicts on Cuba should definately stop, if 'we' are fighting 'terrorism' in the world...heh'...lets take classes at school of the americas.
I suspect both Obama and McCain would agree with you, at least until they set out to woo the Cuban-American vote in Florida and New Jersey. Then, common sense will collide with a desire to get elected.
I doubt this voting bloc will go for Obama, so if he wins, he should just end the Embargo.
I've been told that Cuba's brand of socialism works
Some parts work; some don't.
What works in Cuba:
-Hurricane evacuation. No more than a handful of Cubans have died from hurricanes in recent times, due to the state's ability to herd people out of the way.
-Biotech. Cuba has one of the largest and most productive biotech sectors in Latin America, and holds several patents on vaccines and other medical products.
-Crime control. Compared to neighboring states like Jamaica, Haiti, and the DR, Cuba does keep its crime rate in check.
-Agriculture. Cuba has a fairly strong agronomics sector, with a number of export crops, and agricultural scientists working around the world in consulting roles.
What doesn't work:
-Economic opportunity, which is why so many people flee the place for the US.
-Social infrastructure. Lack of investment means many of the buildings are old and shabby, without much hope of repair. While still far better than some places, like nearby Haiti, Cuba is falling behind others like the Dominican Republic, which is installing a subway network underneath Santo Domingo. Internet service is poor.
-Political freedom. There isn't much. Non-state media is basically hogtied in terms of commenting on political matters.
Crime control. Compared to neighboring states like Jamaica, Haiti, and the DR, Cuba does keep its crime rate in check.
Well when your police have a blank check to round people up and there is little in the way of due process, yes crime tends to wane a bit. Add the CDR block wardens (spys) to the calculus, and you have a lot of arrests for what could almost be tagged 'precrime.'
Having said that, crime is actually rampant in Cuba. Corruption is endemic at all levels of the State. Petty theft and prostitution is as common as sunshine. The black market thrives offering nearly anything including narcotics. Even muggings are not unheard of in the Socialist Paradise.
Oh, it's nothing compared to the daily gunbattles and ransom kidnappings that go on in nearby cities like Port-au-Prince, or the politically-tinged gang warfare in nearby Kingston, something the Cuban government is eager to point out.
There are many governments that the US has friendly relationships with that are far less than democratic and where the military has strong control.
I'm not saying that Cuba has a great government or that the Castro brothers are just a couple of great guys, but...How effective has the embargo been, and who benefits from it?
If we lifted the embargo, what would happen? Would it result in the Cuban government remaining socialist? Would it result in the Cuban military invading Miami?
Or is it simply a moral statement? And, if we're making a moral statement, why don't we enact embargoes against all these other totalitarian regimes that are our friends?
...And if we lifted the embargo against Cuba, could it be done in such a way that it does not send a message that we approve of Castro?
It's a political issue. If you look at our current laws regarding trade with Cuba, you'll notice that most of the "exemptions" were actually concessions to American agriculture firms.
There are many governments that the US has friendly relationships with that are far less than democratic and where the military has strong control.
I'm not saying that Cuba has a great government or that the Castro brothers are just a couple of great guys, but...How effective has the embargo been, and who benefits from it?
If we lifted the embargo, what would happen? Would it result in the Cuban government remaining socialist? Would it result in the Cuban military invading Miami?
Or is it simply a moral statement? And, if we're making a moral statement, why don't we enact embargoes against all these other totalitarian regimes that are our friends?
...And if we lifted the embargo against Cuba, could it be done in such a way that it does not send a message that we approve of Castro?
The other totalitarian countries to which you refer did not threaten to engage in a nuclear attack on the United States of America.
When Cuba offer a full and unconditional apology for having housed Soviet nuclear weapons pointed at the United States, it might be appropriate to begin negotiations over lifting the embargo. But not until then.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
