# Is it time for the U.S. to drop economic sanctions on Cuba? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 5, 2007, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-the-u-s-to-drop-economic-sanctions-on-cuba/394727 "2007-03-05T21:49:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-the-u-s-to-drop-economic-sanctions-on-cuba/394727/101 "2007-03-12T20:46:01Z")
FRDE, I have no idea why you believe that Cuba is more similar to the United States than the Bahamas or Jamaica or other Carribean countries. It just makes no sense. Sure, at one point…a long time ago…Cuba had a lot of economic ties to the US. Those have been completely severed since Castro became dictator. And even when Castro dies, why in the world would we expect Cuba to more of a candidate for 51st state than Puerto Rico, or the Bahamas, or Haiti, or whatever? There is no possibility for this to happen, it is a fantasy, and I have no idea why you keep talking about it. Sure, eventually we’ll have closer economic ties with Cuba once Castro is dead and the embargo is lifted. That doesn’t even come close to 51st statehood, even if we were to fantasize that all Cubans loved us. I suppose the theory you’re operating under is that since the dictator tells them that the US is evil, Cubans must figure we must have some good qualities if that bastard hates us so much. Other than that…I don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![FRDE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e68b1a/32.png) [@FRDE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FRDE)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-the-u-s-to-drop-economic-sanctions-on-cuba/394727/102 "2007-03-14T09:48:29Z")
I use the term 51st state figuratively, not politically. Perhaps I should say: have the same relationship as Canada has with the USA I would not like seeing Cuba turning into a gambling den, brothel and drug distribution centre, and reckon that could be averted if the USA subsidized infrastructure and encouraged industries that are suitable for both domestic consumption and export. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-the-u-s-to-drop-economic-sanctions-on-cuba/394727/103 "2007-03-14T17:28:10Z")
[QUOTE=FRDE] Look at how Germany sorted out DDR property problems, quietly but effectively. [/quote] How **did** Germany sort out the DDR property problems? [QUOTE=FRDE] Also LaLenin, Cuba could become a major exporter of Organic Blueberries (whatever they are) - the place has brand potential. [/QUOTE] As it happens, after the USSR fell, the Cubans (out of necessity) developed a highly successful organic farming system – not for export, just to feed themselves. See [here.](http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/08/cubas_organic_r.php) Still, the idea has potential. ---
**Author:** ![lalenin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@lalenin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lalenin)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-the-u-s-to-drop-economic-sanctions-on-cuba/394727/104 "2007-03-14T23:47:48Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] How **did** Germany sort out the DDR property problems? As it happens, after the USSR fell, the Cubans (out of necessity) developed a highly successful organic farming system – not for export, just to feed themselves. See [here.](http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/08/cubas_organic_r.php) Still, the idea has potential. [/QUOTE] Sorry but no. According [this article](http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/2007/02/26/nacional/artic02.html) published in Granma, Cuba’s official newspaper, Cuba imports 84% of the food destined for daily consumption. And that’s the official story, I can tell you that anything published in the Cuban press that paints Cuban in less than favorable light is probably underestimated by a lot. The bit about organic farming and how succesful it has been is yet another of the myths about the ‘triumphs’ of the revolution. ---
**Author:** ![lalenin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@lalenin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lalenin)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-the-u-s-to-drop-economic-sanctions-on-cuba/394727/105 "2007-03-14T23:49:38Z")
[QUOTE=FRDE] I would not like seeing Cuba turning into a gambling den, brothel and drug distribution centre, and reckon that could be averted if the USA subsidized infrastructure and encouraged industries that are suitable for both domestic consumption and export. [/QUOTE] I didn’t want to se Cuba turned into a brother for foreigners either, but it’s too late for that. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-the-u-s-to-drop-economic-sanctions-on-cuba/394727/106 "2007-03-14T23:51:04Z")
[QUOTE=lalenin] I didn’t want to se Cuba turned into a brother for foreigners either, but it’s too late for that. [/QUOTE] Ermm . . . you did mean brothel, didn’t you? The alternative is even more disturbing. ---
**Author:** ![lalenin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@lalenin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lalenin)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-the-u-s-to-drop-economic-sanctions-on-cuba/394727/107 "2007-03-15T00:54:10Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Ermm . . . you did mean brothel, didn’t you? The alternative is even more disturbing. [/QUOTE] Sorry yes, brothel as in house of prostitutes. ---
**Author:** ![FRDE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e68b1a/32.png) [@FRDE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FRDE)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-the-u-s-to-drop-economic-sanctions-on-cuba/394727/108 "2007-03-15T12:49:27Z")
[QUOTE=lalenin] Sorry yes, brothel as in house of prostitutes. [/QUOTE] I know what has been going on for some time, probably since 1995 (well that was when I realized why my airline clients were flying charters from Spain to Cuba). However, there are many like you, who have learnt the language and the strange customs of the North Americans. Perhaps you can prevent the place being turned into a zoo. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-the-u-s-to-drop-economic-sanctions-on-cuba/394727/109 "2007-03-15T13:45:39Z")
[QUOTE=FRDE] However, there are many like you, who have learnt the language and the strange customs of the North Americans. Perhaps you can prevent the place being turned into a zoo. [/QUOTE] Shh! Cuba’s finally contributing something of **value** to the world, and you want to mess it up?! 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-the-u-s-to-drop-economic-sanctions-on-cuba/394727.md?page=5)