Opening Cuba To The US

[Mikeaut1 261]

President Obama plans to loosen the restrictions the US has with Cuba. Plans as of now include US citizens being able to visit family members who live in Cuba and also allowing money to be wired there. This headline struck me as interesting because the US and Cuba have never gotten along and the US government has totally restricted policy between the two neighbors for years.

www.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/world/americas/14cuba.html

[Haljackey 17,398]

About time. Its not nice to hold a grudge, especially for 40+ years.

Hurray for Obama!

[BurroDiablo 222]

Yeah, I thought if anybody was going to do this, it was going to be Obama, there was no point holding a grudge for this long, its been a pretty juvenile affair. Its about the right time anyway... Castro is on his last legs and is no longer in power, Raul has fired alot of Castro's buddies for Government and he's given the Cuban people some of their rights back. I guess for a historical Presidency he's going to have to make some historical decisions, this is one of em.

[spa 970]

Well pretty much everything the US has tried so far in relation to Cuba has been a complete failure so now is as good a time as any to throw in the towel. If they really get rolling, my fellow Canadians and I might have to start sharing the beach! (I'm going there in May)

[Deathtoall 28]

Its good to remove the restrictions on Cuba, alot of people suffered heavily when the USSR broke up and they were Cuba's main source of supplies and money and with them gone Cuba hasnt really got a leg to stand on. Bring them into the modern world and lift the embargo. They have suffered enough.

[Merlin of Flyote 8]

About time, British have been going to Cuba for years, apparently it's a nice (albeit poor) place. Sanctions only ever hurt the poor, never the rich or the government. Castro gained far more from the sanctions than he lost. America just helped to keep him in power for so long.

[Easy Bakes 253]

It is a shame there  is no american tourism there becuase of bad political desions 40+ years ago.

Looks like an interesting place to visit,500 years of history. And before the revolution  Havana was a  prime  travel destination.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havana

[your_adress_here 11]

Maybe the US could get a few tips from Cuban healthcare.

[Merlin of Flyote 8]

Originally posted by: your_adress_here

Maybe the US could get a few tips from Cuban healthcare.quote>

Considering how poor Cuba is, their healthcare system, and the way they grow their own drugs and medicines is amazing.

[Duke87 1,070]

Originally posted by: your_adress_here

Maybe the US could get a few tips from Cuban healthcare.quote>

Oh yes, following the example of Communists. Lovely idea. It's a wonder we never followed any of the Soviets' examples. Their way of doing things was superb.

[your_adress_here 11]

Originally posted by: Duke87

Originally posted by: your_adress_here

Maybe the US could get a few tips from Cuban healthcare.quote>

Oh yes, following the example of Communists. Lovely idea. It's a wonder we never followed any of the Soviets' examples. Their way of doing things was superb.

quote>

You sir, are ignorant. Maybe you were unaware that Cuba has an excellent healthcare system?

The Soviets were barely Communist anways. They were just a bunch of corrupt old men who took advantage of the people for their own gains, exactly the opposite of communism.

I don't blame you though. They probably teach you in American schools that communism is bad? And while we're at it, remember that socialism =/= communism.

Edit: Sorry if I seem harsh. You are a smart guy Duke, but please, make sure you know what you're talking about, otherwise you will seem like a fool.

[Barbarossa 51]

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  Edited September 8, 2012 by Barbarossa  

[Merlin of Flyote 8]

Originally posted by: Barbarossa

I'm glad some restrictions have been removed. I am ambivalent with regard to keeping the embargo, but I think I lean towards a removal if it, as well. However, I am not well-informed on that aspect and can't really justify it, except to say that if we want change, we need to promote it from within the country.

Barbarossaquote>

I'd agree, it wasn't that good an embargo as Cuba could get things elsewhere, but in general sanctions make a country stand on it's own feet. They only hurt the poor if anybody.

[belfastuniguy 18]

Originally posted by: Duke87

Originally posted by: your_adress_here

Maybe the US could get a few tips from Cuban healthcare.quote>

Oh yes, following the example of Communists. Lovely idea. It's a wonder we never followed any of the Soviets' examples. Their way of doing things was superb.

quote>

The Soviets weren't actually Communist in the true sense of the word.

I know Americans get all HYBERBOLE when they speak of communism and believe anything that has a whiff of socialism is automatically communist.

You're a smart guy Duke, you should be well aware of the difference.

[Jezus53 18]

Originally posted by: Merlin of Flyote

Originally posted by: your_adress_here

Maybe the US could get a few tips from Cuban healthcare.quote>

Considering how poor Cuba is, their healthcare system, and the way they grow their own drugs and medicines is amazing.quote>

I would have never guessed that they would have such a great health care system. I guess our schools are a lot more biased than I thought...or maybe it's beause we never went passed WW2 in any of my classess...

[Merlin of Flyote 8]

Originally posted by: Jezus53

Originally posted by: Merlin of Flyote

Originally posted by: your_adress_here

Maybe the US could get a few tips from Cuban healthcare.quote>

Considering how poor Cuba is, their healthcare system, and the way they grow their own drugs and medicines is amazing.quote>

I would have never guessed that they would have such a great health care system. I guess our schools are a lot more biased than I thought...or maybe it's beause we never went passed WW2 in any of my classess...

quote>

Saw a program on it, there are all these gardens growing plants to make medicines. I think their health system is similar to the NHS. (ie. free at the point of delivery).

[Yoman3 5]

Originally posted by: Merlin of Flyote

Originally posted by: Jezus53

Originally posted by: Merlin of Flyote

Originally posted by: your_adress_here

Maybe the US could get a few tips from Cuban healthcare.quote>

Considering how poor Cuba is, their healthcare system, and the way they grow their own drugs and medicines is amazing.quote>

I would have never guessed that they would have such a great health care system. I guess our schools are a lot more biased than I thought...or maybe it's beause we never went passed WW2 in any of my classess...

quote>

Saw a program on it, there are all these gardens growing plants to make medicines. I think their health system is similar to the NHS. (ie. free at the point of delivery).quote>

Its generally a very poor idea to trust a Micheal Moore film, after all, he is completly unbiased in every way.

[belfastuniguy 18]

Not sure he stated Michael Moore's film Owen.

I saw a Documentary on the BBC on Cuba and its healthcare, was very interesting indeed. The quality of care and staff is fantastic. They ofc lack many of the modern facilities we have, but nevertheless, do rather well with what they have.

[Merlin of Flyote 8]

Originally posted by: Yoman3

Originally posted by: Merlin of Flyote

Originally posted by: Jezus53

Originally posted by: Merlin of Flyote

Originally posted by: your_adress_here

Maybe the US could get a few tips from Cuban healthcare.quote>

Considering how poor Cuba is, their healthcare system, and the way they grow their own drugs and medicines is amazing.quote>

I would have never guessed that they would have such a great health care system. I guess our schools are a lot more biased than I thought...or maybe it's beause we never went passed WW2 in any of my classess...

quote>

Saw a program on it, there are all these gardens growing plants to make medicines. I think their health system is similar to the NHS. (ie. free at the point of delivery).quote>

Its generally a very poor idea to trust a Micheal Moore film, after all, he is completly unbiased in every way.

quote>

Who's Michael Moore? and of course any program is edited, ergo will show what the editor want's to show. 

[Yoman3 5]

Originally posted by: Merlin of Flyote

Originally posted by: Yoman3

Originally posted by: Merlin of Flyote

Originally posted by: Jezus53

Originally posted by: Merlin of Flyote

Originally posted by: your_adress_here

Maybe the US could get a few tips from Cuban healthcare.quote>

Considering how poor Cuba is, their healthcare system, and the way they grow their own drugs and medicines is amazing.quote>

I would have never guessed that they would have such a great health care system. I guess our schools are a lot more biased than I thought...or maybe it's beause we never went passed WW2 in any of my classess...

quote>

Saw a program on it, there are all these gardens growing plants to make medicines. I think their health system is similar to the NHS. (ie. free at the point of delivery).quote>

Its generally a very poor idea to trust a Micheal Moore film, after all, he is completly unbiased in every way.

quote>

Who's Michael Moore? and of course any program is edited, ergo will show what the editor want's to show. 

quote>

I thought the program you were referring to was Sicko, a film Micheal Moore made a few years ago that basically praised the Cuban health care system, it gained a large amount of attention. He is a noted liberal filmmaker also.

[Merlin of Flyote 8]

No still have no idea who he is. I watched a BBC documentry. One thing the BBC does well.

[panthersimcity4 162]

Finally, I've been dying to go to Havana.

Oh yes, following the example of Communists. Lovely idea. It's a wonder we never followed any of the Soviets' examples. Their way of doing things was superb.quote>

oooooooh nooooesss!!!!!! Teh ebilz of communism will corrupt our innocent children!

[Mikeaut1 261]

Fidel Castro seems to like the idea so far. He is actually promoting unlimited visits by US citizens of Cuban descent to the island as well as the transfer of money.

Imagine when (or if) Cuba becomes freely open to the United States... the economic results of that would be exceptional. I don't doubt that there would be a huge influx of American tourists. The airline industry would also do really well in this situation transporting tourists to and from the island.

[your_adress_here 11]

Originally posted by: Mikeaut1

Fidel Castro seems to like the idea so far. He is actually promoting unlimited visits by US citizens of Cuban descent to the island as well as the transfer of money.

Imagine when (or if) Cuba becomes freely open to the United States... the economic results of that would be exceptional. I don't doubt that there would be a huge influx of American tourists. The airline industry would also do really well in this situation transporting tourists to and from the island.

quote>

Yeah I've been thinking about that too, opening up the borders would deffinitely benifit both countries' economies.

[Duke of York 23]

Hmmm......I like the Idea of family freedoms that reside in Cuba and the U.S to grow

internationally.....However Cuba and U.S Relations will get better as soon as Cuba realizes

that it has to contribute in the efforts for better relations as well.....In which I think it's not doing enough of...

[Merlin of Flyote 8]

Originally posted by: Duke of York

Hmmm......I like the Idea of family freedoms that reside in Cuba and the U.S to grow

internationally.....However Cuba and U.S Relations will get better as soon as Cuba realizes

that it has to contribute in the efforts for better relations as well.....In which I think it's not doing enough of...quote>

Of course all countries have to do their bit to establish normal international relations.

However you can't really blaim Cuba when the USA tries to invade then imposes sanctions.

Clearly the USA has to show it's changed first.

[LarksTonguesInAspic 28]

Did anyone catch the Congressional junket to Cuba? Fidel asks US Rep. 'Booby' Rush (D, South Side y'all) if there's anything he can do to help Obama. Interesting. One of the last Communists in power just loves Our Fearless Leader, and wants to help him. He also still zealously believes in Marxism, but marvels at the "power of Christianity". Really? After he worked so hard to exterminate them from his island? The stories of torture coming out of his prisons would make the Viet Cong cringe.

Why would an insane Marxist dictator with so much blood on his hands (and friend/brother-in-arms with Che Guevara) want to help Obama?

But a loosening of restrictions would doom Communism in Cuba. Communism cannot survive in a Walmart world. The fall of the Red Star is inevitable once good old US capitalism invades.

[sim-fan192 4]

First of all, I hate Obama. Second, I don't what to go to a country where people are throughen in jail becuase they don't like thier dictator, supreme ruler, or whatever they like call him.

[greedygreg 1]

Originally posted by: sim-fan192

First of all, I hate Obama. Second, I don't what to go to a country where people are throughen in jail becuase they don't like thier dictator, supreme ruler, or whatever they like call him.quote>

thats real mature..hate somebody who's never personally done anything to you. Its ok to dislike, but there is more than enough hate in this world.  and if you don't want to go to a country because of their style of government or leadership, simply don't go. Nobody's putting a loaded gun to your head and making you row a boat to Cuba.

[Msprintz 25]

I'm thankful to see this happening after the many years of the embargo on all things Cuba, really didn't accomplish much either...  those cigars still made their way stateside.  Surprisingly I don't think any of this change would've be possible had Raul Castro not ascended to power.  He's helping Cuba shed it's past as a hardline communist nation, however I don't see them ditching socialism entirely. 

Regardless... it's really impressive to see the world changing one small step at a time, never would've thought of it happening right here and now.