Hello forum! As many of you know, I'm pretty conservative, so, I feel the need to put this disclaimer on this thread. This is not a criticism thread about Obamas latest policy. Instead, its a discussion thread. I'm not sure how to feel about this latest policy move on his part, so I'm turning to you for opinions. Here is the deal. After a year of "secret discussions" Obama announced that the United States would be loosening/lifting trade sanctions with Cuba. What does this mean? Well, from what I see, it means Americans can smoke Cuban cigars, like the rest of the civilized world now. It also means that Cuba may become a major tourism destination, as businessmen snap up cheap coastal land and pop up resorts. Remember, Cuba was a major tourist hub prior to the 1950s. Anyhow, from my distant view point, the American sanctions didn't really keep Cuba in poverty. Casto did that. Communism did that. If America bought a few cigars or not would make little difference. Also, Cuba had trade relations with European countries, so, if Americans think the sanctions kept Cuba in poverty, they need to get over them selves. Even so, there is no doubt that building a tourism industry there will Benefit Castro. The question is, will it help the people? Also, should America do business with a communist dictator that committed terrible atrocities against his own people and has shown no sign of relenting? I'd love to know how Cuban Americans feel about this. Many people fled Cuba in the wake of castros rise to power, and many others died trying. Although this is an international forum, I think its safe to say, with out offending too many people, that communism sucks. Cuba is still an old style communist country. If America is now willing to throw money at this country and do dealings with a leader that has a known track record of human rights violations, what will the Cuban people get out of it? Should America be demanding anything for the Cuban people in return for its looser sanctions, or should Obama just go forward with a "first step"'and see what happens? Anyhow, this was more rambley than usual for me. Sorry about that. Please leave any comments below. Talk to the moose!
Cuban cigars suck they are too mild and have a tight draw.. Dominicans are better and will be a lot cheaper..
Machete doesn't like this. Machete will kill anyone who tries to take Cuba. Machete likes that island to be left alone. Machete hates sneakers What the heck am I typing?
We put hussein in power, gave him a bunch of guns, and let him run Iraq. We put Gadaffi in Liberia. We put Assad in Syria. What exactly is the problem, other than this is one that the CIA didn't have a hand in appointing?
I think it's important to note Cuba is currently a Lennon style of Marxism and not a pure communist state as most of the western world has feared since the Cold War era, also the current leader is Raul and not Fidel. I would also like to note that Cuban healthcare has suffered since the 1990 embargo's as well as the purge of many of its healthcare professionals in the 60's so overall moose your point on healthcare isn't as rosy as you claim, yes the life expectancy is 78 and the healthcare system has been socialized but due to embargoes and loss of professionals it has suffered significantly.
I honestly hope good things come of it. Certainly has a lot potential to benefit the Cuban people. Only time will tell.
He still wasn't appointed. I don't see the point of your message there, he almost positively knows that there were numerous attempts. What I don't understand is why you had to clarify that?
I heard a lot of Cuban Americans are angry because of how bitter they are of the Castro rule. Personally I think this is great...
What's the difference between Cuba and China ? The government of both is communist with a central autocratic leadership which isn't going anywhere. Ignoring Cuba hasn't helped solve the issues and making Castro the bad guy helped him build his popular support. Opening relations and building a new better relationship between the two countries is surely a better thing for both and for the people whose families have been ripped apart by the conflict.
I have an aunt who is Cuban-American having come here quite a while ago, shortly after Castro took power. She is livid about this, absolutely livid. I won't pretend to understand all her reasons but she is all over facebook about it.
i think its a bad idea to support cuba they have not really been on our side and we all know where there funds go to lift the sancations on cuba is to invite more problems.American greed at.its finest and the expense of others lives
China is socialist-communist and Cuba is a socialist-democratic republic So no, they are not the same.
That's a good question. Easily answered depending on the context obviously. We have mended relationships with other nations we have had conflicts with. Vietnam rings a bell with me. Comparisons may be more easily made between Vietnam and Cuba. Instead of China. Russian allies first. Communist. On and on. China is a whole different beast IMO. We have to have a working relationship with them. Not so much for Vietnam and Cuba. The Vietnam war cost 58,000 American lives. And another 2 million Vietnamese. And that's just military loses. Not including allies. We normalized relations a long time ago. I like the idea of moving on with Cuba. I like the Cuban people. Hopefully this works out for the best. Holidays in Havana!
Sanctions DID Not work. Elite were always rich. Always. Don't you all be hypocrites. Why do you say we should not have any contact with Castro's regime but you are all for the also brutal saudi regime? The chinese comunist regime? And others of course. It is way better to have relations with them. That way you can push them to better human rights and such. You can hardly do so from the distance and thru third parties.
All I really can say is SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND The only way cubas economy will ever be fixed is when the castoil brothers are dead and not around . America not trading with Cuba had no affect on their economy they still traded with china Russia and the rest of the world but the castoil brothers are the reason why it has a crappy economy
On a side note, American travelers will be allowed to bring back 400$ us in goods back with them 100$ of which can be tobacco and alcohol. Random fact yes, but worthwhile to note