acesfull86
Well-known member
Any good reason this is still in place in 2014? Any evidence from our gov't that it has been successful at all (other than harming citizens of both countries)?
Embargo Against Cuba
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mossy
<B>Hysterical Girlfriend<BR>That Storms Out and</B
We harm our own citizens, so perhaps that shouldn't be a reason anymore...
Our church has missionaries that frequently go, and they say that it's heartbreaking to see how badly people struggle there.
Runnin
Well-known member
It does seem more petty that anything at this point. How hard would it be to use U.S. goods and culture to slowly turn it into an ally, or at least not an enemy? It is rather strategically located.
An alternate perspective: http://www.internationalpolicydigest.org/2013/05/09/time-to-strengthen-the-cuban-embargo/
However unfortunate it may be, Cuba, in its current state, is a nation consisting only of a wealthy and powerful few and an impoverished and oppressed proletariat, who possess little to no means to escape or even improve their fate. Lifting the trade embargo will not increase the general prosperity of the Cuban people, but it will increase the prosperity of the government. Ergo, the poverty and dire situation of the Cuban people cannot be blamed on the United States or the embargo.
No doubt, it has been a fruitless 50 years since the embargo was enacted. Little has changed as far as democracy and human rights are concerned. To maintain control, Cuba has “managed to offset much of the effects over the years in large part because the Soviets subsidized the island for three decades, because the regime welcomed Canadian, Mexican and European capital after the collapse of the Berlin Wall, and because Venezuela is its new patron,” according to Llosa. However, Venezuela is now undergoing a political transition of its own with the recent death of Hugo Chávez, its president for the past 14 years, and the controversial election of Nicolás Maduro.
Despite being Chávez’s handpicked successor, Maduro only won by a narrow margin and will likely be forced to cut spending on social programs and foreign assistance in an effort to stabilize Venezuela’s dire economic problems. Therefore, now is the ideal time to take action. Without Venezuela’s support, the Cuban government will assuredly face an economic crisis. Strengthening the embargo to limit U.S. dollars flowing into Cuba would place further pressure on the Cuban government and has the potential to trigger an economic collapse. A change in the Cuban political climate is within reach.
However unfortunate it may be, Cuba, in its current state, is a nation consisting only of a wealthy and powerful few and an impoverished and oppressed proletariat, who possess little to no means to escape or even improve their fate. Lifting the trade embargo will not increase the general prosperity of the Cuban people, but it will increase the prosperity of the government. Ergo, the poverty and dire situation of the Cuban people cannot be blamed on the United States or the embargo.
No doubt, it has been a fruitless 50 years since the embargo was enacted. Little has changed as far as democracy and human rights are concerned. To maintain control, Cuba has “managed to offset much of the effects over the years in large part because the Soviets subsidized the island for three decades, because the regime welcomed Canadian, Mexican and European capital after the collapse of the Berlin Wall, and because Venezuela is its new patron,” according to Llosa. However, Venezuela is now undergoing a political transition of its own with the recent death of Hugo Chávez, its president for the past 14 years, and the controversial election of Nicolás Maduro.
Despite being Chávez’s handpicked successor, Maduro only won by a narrow margin and will likely be forced to cut spending on social programs and foreign assistance in an effort to stabilize Venezuela’s dire economic problems. Therefore, now is the ideal time to take action. Without Venezuela’s support, the Cuban government will assuredly face an economic crisis. Strengthening the embargo to limit U.S. dollars flowing into Cuba would place further pressure on the Cuban government and has the potential to trigger an economic collapse. A change in the Cuban political climate is within reach.
acesfull86
Well-known member
Especially sad that no one seems to talk about it...it's just taken for granted. Unless I haven't noticed, I can't recall this issue being brought up during an election cycle/getting national attention.
Metaphysicist
Not Actually Brian Hunter
No one wants to alienate Florida in a Presidential election.
Metaphysicist
Not Actually Brian Hunter
This is hogwash. Even in a corrupt autocracy, a rising tide lifts all boats, even if not very efficiently.
sturg33
I
Ron Paul brought it up a few times.
It's funny, the people who say Ron Paul is an isolationist are the same people who support this embargo - which is actually isolationism.
Metaphysicist
Not Actually Brian Hunter
Targeting one small country specifically isn't really isolationism.
sturg33
I
I'm saying cutting off trade with countries is isolationism.
Not exactly.
goldfly
<B>if my thought dreams could be seen</B>
it's just stupid
I agree, although I don't think lifting the embargo would have any effect on the political landscape in the country.
On the other hand, ever since the Philippines claimed independence from the US and US influence, the country has spiraled into a bigger s---hole. Worse than it ever was as a commonwealth.
goldfly
<B>if my thought dreams could be seen</B>
Aside from minor travel issues the embargo is basically toothless.