We need to end all sanctions on Cuba now

[Craig234]

The sanctions on Cuba date back to a time at the height of the cold war, when we decided to be hostile to Castro, and tensions escalated to where we cut off trade and he nationalized US companies and grew close to the USSR, and we sanctioned Cuba with the idea that they were an enemy who wanted to create Soviet allies in the hemisphere.

Putting aside how good or bad an idea all that was, things have long greatly changed.

For decades,the sanctions hurt almost entirely the Cuban people for no reason, and to a smaller degree the American people, denied cheaper sugar, tourism, and more.

There really isn't a good reason for it - and it's really counterproductive.

Yes, it's still an economically backwards country despite renouncing much of its earlier economic policies and having some more opportunities. It's still a police state.

It's also a country who does some things pretty well, and in particular trains many doctors providing not only universal healthcare in Cuba but in other countries as well.

In the interest of justice, economics, and even politics - more interaction with Cuba will likely help them improve - we should end all sanctions now. It's a no-brainer.

There is no cold war we're trying to keep them from siding with the USSR on.

And it's not exactly respectful of American citizens' freedom to restrict most travel there.

 

[Murloc]

I agree, communism is dead, no need to contain it.

 

[Craig234]

JFK was already pursuing secret talks with Castro about improving relations - with Kruschev recommending to Castro to do so.

I'd say it's one more issue where Obama has fallen short of the 'hope and change' rhetoric to instead be a 'moderate Republican'.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

I'd say it's one more issue where Obama has fallen short of the 'hope and change' rhetoric to instead be a 'moderate Republican'.

Yet I'll bet you voted from him both times.

On the original question, I see no issue with lifting sanctions against Cuba.

 

[techs]

Communism in China-Good
Communism in Cuba-Bad

The difference? In China corporations can abuse and exploit their workers.

 

[Jaskalas]

100% agreed with the topic title.

Cuban sanctions should have ended when the cold war did. Continuing them at any point after the Berlin Wall fell is to work against our own interests in central and south America. We need normal relations to foster a trust and understanding, to develop mutual financial interests with our neighbors.

The continuation of the sanctions are a strike against peace. Divisions lead to war.

 

[EagleKeeper]

When is Cuba going to return confiscated property?

 

[Craig234]

When is Cuba going to return confiscated property?

When are we going to compensate Cuba for years of sabotage, and years of exploitation before that?

It doesn't work that way.

Get over it. Continuing to block trade waiting for 'reparations' is not good for anyone.

 

[JEDIYoda]

JFK was already pursuing secret talks with Castro about improving relations - with Kruschev recommending to Castro to do so.

I'd say it's one more issue where Obama has fallen short of the 'hope and change' rhetoric to instead be a 'moderate Republican'.

I agree!!~ If George W. Bush was still in office Cuba would be our 52 state by now!!!

 

[JEDIYoda]

When are we going to compensate Cuba for years of sabotage, and years of exploitation before that?

It also doesn`t work that way!!

 

[Murloc]

When is Cuba going to return confiscated property?

I doubt that there is much people alive left who actually worked for that stuff. Now it's probably corporations and heirs. The confiscated assets were 1.8 billion $.
Without the embargo, how much money could be earned by the US?

 

[techs]

Did China repay the US for confiscated property? No.
Did the formerly Communist eastern european countries? No.
The list is a long as you have time for.

So that's a non existent, made up reason.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Australia and the US both "acquired" our land from the native populations.

We deal with Venezuela, which nationalized their oil industry. We deal with Germany, who might Godwin this thread at any time.

At some point you have to let the past go, and stop punishing the great- great- grandchildren of someone who did something you didn't like.

 

[DrPizza]

It wouldn't be politically popular in Florida. But, it's long overdue.

 

[sandorski]

It wouldn't be politically popular in Florida. But, it's long overdue.

Probably the only reason it hasn't already been done.

 

[chucky2]

Will lifting sanctions keep more illegals from coming here or not? Whichever one results in fewer illegals I'm all for.

 

[irishScott]

Sure. But the way our government works is that it's ruled by the previous generation. The previous generation fought the Cold War and most of it knows less about computers than modern 4th graders. Add in the fact that we have far more important controversial issues to settle without heaping Cuba on top of things, and... well we can resume this discussion in 30 years.

 

[Craig234]

Sure. But the way our government works is that it's ruled by the previous generation. The previous generation fought the Cold War and most of it knows less about computers than modern 4th graders. Add in the fact that we have far more important controversial issues to settle without heaping Cuba on top of things, and... well we can resume this discussion in 30 years.

That's a bunch of nonsense. We should end the sanctions now.

 

[irishScott]

That's a bunch of nonsense. We should end the sanctions now.

It's a bunch of reality. I agree with you that we should end the sanctions, I merely listed why it won't happen for the time being.

 

[Craig234]

It's a bunch of reality. I agree with you that we should end the sanctions, I merely listed why it won't happen for the time being.

I think it's nonsense to claim that the 'bias of older people' prevents action. Name any progress that happens and I'll probably point you to how it overcame that bias.

The 'we have more important things' issue is nonsense too. This is far more important enough to get addressed. We had time to pass the sanctions.

Do you have any idea of the thousands - tens of thousands - of issues that get addressed? That is not any actual issue blocking the issue at all.

 

[Sonikku]

It sure is nice of them letting us plop a base on their soil, all things considered.

 

[Craig234]

It sure is nice of them letting us plop a base on their soil, all things considered.

We really have no business having that. Imagine Cuba having a military base in South Florida where they keep people from around the world for a decade with no charge, most of whom haven't done anything wrong but they just don't know what to do with them - the lucky ones who weren't sent to be tortured.

 

[irishScott]

I think it's nonsense to claim that the 'bias of older people' prevents action. Name any progress that happens and I'll probably point you to how it overcame that bias.

The 'we have more important things' issue is nonsense too. This is far more important enough to get addressed. We had time to pass the sanctions.

Do you have any idea of the thousands - tens of thousands - of issues that get addressed? That is not any actual issue blocking the issue at all.

The bias of those elected to government prevents action, and those elected to government are largely chosen by and elected from older people. If said older people have a bias, that effects politics.

Sure they'll overcome it, over decades and sometimes generations. That's why it was 101 years from the Emancipation Proclamation to the Civil Rights Act. That's why the KKK existed as a significant political force until 1940s. That's why just now a President has come out in support of gay marriage.

Please. We passed the sanctions in 1963. Explain to me the motivation for a federal official to waste time and political capital pursuing one of those largely unimportant fringe issues that can only hurt them? Maybe somewhere in Florida there's a congressional district with a large-enough voting demographic of ex-Cubans who would give enough of a shit to matter. Anywhere else, said Congressman's opponents would simply frame it as weak foreign policy. You and your friends might find that idea laughable, but there are millions of voters, who don't think like you, who wouldn't. And they're more likely to vote against it than their counterparts are to vote for it.

To sum it up, to support lifting sanctions on Cuba would be to invite significant criticism with little to no benefit for the vast majority of politicians. Politically it's a bad trade.

 

[Craig234]

The bias of those elected to government prevents action, and those elected to government are largely chosen by and elected from older people. If said older people have a bias, that effects politics.

Sure they'll overcome it, over decades and sometimes generations. That's why it was 101 years from the Emancipation Proclamation to the Civil Rights Act. That's why the KKK existed as a significant political force until 1940s. That's why just now a President has come out in support of gay marriage.

Please. We passed the sanctions in 1963. Explain to me the motivation for a federal official to waste time and political capital pursuing one of those largely unimportant fringe issues that can only hurt them? Maybe somewhere in Florida there's a congressional district with a large-enough voting demographic of ex-Cubans who would give enough of a shit to matter. Anywhere else, said Congressman's opponents would simply frame it as weak foreign policy. You and your friends might find that idea laughable, but there are millions of voters, who don't think like you, who wouldn't. And they're more likely to vote against it than their counterparts are to vote for it.

To sum it up, to support lifting sanctions on Cuba would be to invite significant criticism with little to no benefit for the vast majority of politicians. Politically it's a bad trade.

We're just going to totally disagree.

For example, racism hadn't disappeared after a century of it after the civil war; when Brown v. Board of Education was decided, the public was against it. When Kennedy pushed civil rights measures, the public felt he was pushing too hard. Yes, that 'bias' exists, but it is not a block to the change. The change happens, the people follow, and in my opinion our country is way past ready for this - look at the replies in this thread.

You can claim all you like about how some Cuban expatriates might not like it, but I think you give that a lot more weight than it has at this time.

You treat it as a nothing issue; I disagree.

I think it has all kinds of benefits, and is a no-brainer win for Obama. I suspect even the Cuban exile community is shifting.

 

[JTsyo]

It wouldn't be politically popular in Florida. But, it's long overdue.

What does Florida have against Cuba? I sure there's some who would like to visit. And other would have family they could visit. Also Florida would be a popular destination for Cuban tourist if they can afford it.