Cuban Embargo: Stupid idea or failed policy?

[PLATO]

Has the Cuban government ever paid for all the stuff they nationalized at the end of the revolution?

Even Hugo Chavez pays for the stuff he nationalizes.

Isn't that the true reason for the embargo?

Surely everybody here didn't think the USA was embargoing a country for some statement of principle? It is the USA we are talking about! It has to be about money...

[Kidlicious]

In a sense yes, but only for the few, not the many. That's why it's the special interests that push for it.

[GePap]

Originally posted by PLATO
Has the Cuban government ever paid for all the stuff they nationalized at the end of the revolution?

Even Hugo Chavez pays for the stuff he nationalizes.

Isn't that the true reason for the embargo?

Surely everybody here didn't think the USA was embargoing a country for some statement of principle? It is the USA we are talking about! It has to be about money...

That rationale would explain a freeze on Cuban assets, but how does it explain the complete travel ban, or things like the article I quoted above?

[PLATO]

Originally posted by GePap


That rationale would explain a freeze on Cuban assets, but how does it explain the complete travel ban, or things like the article I quoted above?

Frankly, I don't believe that it does explain those things. Initially, I believe, it was instituted to bring pressure on the new regime to toe the US line and pay up or agree to let US companies back in. When Cuba said "screw you" then it was just not politically expedient to start relaxing things. I think that we have had a couple of good opportunities over the years to have a face saving reduction in the embargo, but we have been to intransigent to do it.

The Cubans have not been suffering as JFK intended them eithier. US companies are doing business there (usually through British or Dutch affiliates), and tourist flock there from many other countries. Seems pointless at this time to continue the embargo to me.

Still, I think it will take some kind of movement from both sides to have some change.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by PLATO
Has the Cuban government ever paid for all the stuff they nationalized at the end of the revolution?

Cuba offered payment, based on the value of the companies the companies themselves had reported for tax purposes. As the companies had massively undervalued themselves in order to cheat the Cuban government of taxes, they were rather unhappy to be offered far less than what the companies were actually worth. One of those "D'oh" moments. They refused to accept the payments.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Zevico
Why? You call for communism or socialism in the US. You aren't arrested for it.

That doesn't stop the government from ****ing with you. I've known people to be arrested for selling communist newspapers. The cases are always thrown out, but that doesn't compensate you. People also frequently lose their jobs when their politics become known.

You've dodged the question for the THIRD time now kid. Who was the opposition candidate in the last Cuban election?

Opposition candidate for what? The Cuban legislature elects the leadership. Elect a non-Communist legislature, which is possible. Non-Communists do get elected. Then Castro, the party's leader, won't be elected, just as Blair can't get elected directly to Prime Minister, but his party must win control of Parliament. In any event, the average Cuban has far more control over his legislator, since if he doesn't like what the person's doing, he can be recalled. That is an option that is exercised fairly regularly. Heck, Castro could be recalled by his district. We're stuck with Bush until he retires. Where's the democracy?

[Wezil]

Originally posted by Kidicious


Communist countries are not trying to change the government of this country by financing my political activity.

Maybe not now but the Soviets did finance communist parties in western countries over the years.

[Arrian]

I will say I like the recall thing. That would be a nice addition for us

Castro being recalled

-Arrian

[jkp1187]

It is ironic, no? The commandantes come to power decrying capitalism as being inherently exploitative, but they and their fellow-travellers decry the embargo as inhumane.

Seems to me that if we take them at their word, all that the embargo does is deny them the opportunity to be 'exploited'.

[Wezil]

It can happen Arrian.

[Solomwi]

Re: Re: Cuban Embargo: Stupid idea or failed policy?

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Why not both?

I agree completely with che and GePap, and I think I could throw Kid in there if he stuck to a simple answer to the question. I never thought I'd type that sentence.