Archive for February, 2009
Cuban-American Travel to Cuba may be Approved
Cuban-Americans will soon be able to visit their families again.
A provision in a huge spending bill the U.S. House is scheduled to pass Wednesday that will lift President Bush’s restrictions on family travel and remittances to Cuba.
Senator Luger: Deal with the Cuban regime in a way that enhances U.S. interests
Richard Lugar, the Ranking Foreign Committee Ranking Minority Member has released “CHANGING CUBA POLICY — IN THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL INTEREST.”
From the Huffington Post, Senator Luger states:
Economic sanctions are a legitimate tool of U.S. foreign policy, and they have sometimes achieved their aims, as in the case of apartheid South Africa.
After 47 years, however, the unilateral embargo on Cuba has failed to achieve its stated purpose of “bringing democracy to the Cuban people,” while it may have been used as a foil by the regime to demand further sacrifices from Cuba’s impoverished population.
The current U.S. policy has many passionate defenders, and their criticism of the Castro regime is justified. Nevertheless, we must recognize the ineffectiveness of our current policy and deal with the Cuban regime in a way that enhances U.S. interests.
This is an excellent sign that change has come to Washington concerning Cuba-America Policy.
Freedom To Travel To Cuba Act – HR 874
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel is reporting a bill named the “Freedom To Travel To Cuba Act” was introduced in Congress on Feb 4.
The bill allows for the freedom of travel for US Citizen and prohibits the President from restricting travel. This is the first step in normalizing relations with Cuba.
The Bill H.R.874, was Sponsored by Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass and cosponsored by:
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [CT-3]
Rep Edwards, Donna F. [MD-4]
Rep Emerson, Jo Ann [MO-8]
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17]
Rep Flake, Jeff [AZ-6]
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3]
Rep Moran, Jerry [KS-1]
Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14]
These members should be applauded for the forward thinking, write your congressperson and tell them to support H.R. 874.
Ending the Cuban Embargo Would Benefit U.S. Economy – Florida Helped Most
For the first time in nearly fifty years the United States has an opportunity to normalize relations with Cuba. The inauguration of President Barack Obama offers the chance for a clean break with the policies that have separated the U.S. from our closest Caribbean neighbor.
Good for the U.S. Economy
Many U.S. business groups have been advocating the end of the embargo as well. The groups including the American Farm Bureau Federation, Business Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Retail Federation and Grocery Manufacturers Association have called for an end to the embargo. Currently only certain agricultural and medical products are exempt from the embargo.
The U.S. economy will be greatly affected by ending the Cuban embargo in a very positive way. At a time when the U.S. economy needs it most, we would enter the nearby market of Cuba that has nearly 11.5 million people and nearly 43,000 square miles.
Fifty years of Communism has taken a toll on Cuba. Buildings are deteriorating to unsafe levels, roads and bridges are crumbling and access to basic goods and services have all but disappeared. The Cuban people are clamoring for change and a better life and the United States has the ability to deliver it.
Our recession battered construction industries would also benefit greatly as engineers, carpenters and skilled laborers could help the Cuban people rebuild their country. Building supply industries would start manufacturing again and natural resources would be consumed.
The European Union has already ended their embargo and recently the United Nations, in a 183-3 vote, called for an end to the embargo worldwide.
Travel industry segments such as cruise lines and airlines would prosper as tourists explored this beautiful country. Cuban Ports and airports would be rebuilt, hotels constructed, all with the help of U.S. industries.
Florida Would Benefit Most
The state of Florida may have the most to gain from ending the Cuban embargo. The southern most point of the U.S., Key West, Florida is within a hundred miles of Cuba. Florida’s ports would benefit from the large amounts of cargo that would be shipped to Cuba. The ports would also benefit as many early travelers to Cuba would opt to cruise there since hotel facilities do not yet exist to accommodate tourists bound for this new destination.
Florida businesses would also profit from a new tourist destination as close as Cuba. Tourists would demand the same quality of food, luxury and even those little bars of soap not available there on a large scale. As Cuban citizens became aware of and demanded American products, Florida based distribution companies would be available to fill the need.
Long term, Florida would benefit as International tourist used it as a gateway to Cuba. Currently many International travelers visit Cuba via Mexico and Canada. Trendy cities like Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando would reap tourism dollars as international visitors looking for exciting destinations extended their vacations in Florida.
Good Foreign Policy
Politically, ending the Cuban embargo just makes sense, Russia is looking to Cuba to establish a Caribbean presence. Since the demise of the old Soviet Empire, Russian influence in Cuba has waned. But in December of 08, Russia sent three warships to visit the island nation. In January Raoul Castro visited Russia to seek trade and money. Be assured that Russia would like to expand their presence in the region and this is a great opportunity to do so.
Cuba also appears to have a large expanse of untapped oil resources. China and Venezuela would like to tie those resources up for themselves which would not only cut the U.S. market from the oil, but could create the opportunity for an Eco disaster for the Caribbean and Southeastern United States.
Opportunities for Cuba
By ending the Cuban embargo, President Obama has the opportunity to help both the Cuban and American people. By allowing U.S. travel to the island nation, Cubans can get a taste of the freedoms we as Americans take for granted. Cubans will be exposed to our fashion, music and technology which will stimulate a desire for freedom and personal wealth.
U.S. Travel to Cuba will also generate much needed dollars for the Caribbean Nation which was devastated by three hurricanes last year.
President Obama has another chance to make history by ending the embargo and promoting freedom, however this window of opportunity won’t be open forever.