# Should Obama end Cuban problems? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 17, 2008, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165 "2008-11-17T19:50:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/1 "2008-11-17T19:50:54Z")
Should Obama end the boycott and enter into diplomatic relationships with Cuba? I think it is way late and we should have done so long ago. The Cuban people have suffered a long time and a trading partner that close would be good. It would be a tourist destination too. Everybody we hated except Castro is dead anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/2 "2008-11-17T20:01:28Z")
Although it might be a good idea, there are a LOT of political considerations to be taken into account (eg. Does Obama and the Democratic party want Florida’s EV’s ever again?) Yes, it would be a great tourist destination. Come and stay in one of the many resorts that Canadians and Europeans have been enjoying for years! ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/3 "2008-11-17T20:03:50Z")
Yes. It’s time that we behaved like adults and sat down with any leader who is willing to. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/4 "2008-11-17T20:15:03Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > The Cuban people have suffered a long time I agree. I just wish their government had the same compassion we do. > [@](#): > > Everybody we hated except Castro is dead anyway. It wasn’t the ‘people’ that we hated. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/5 "2008-11-17T20:23:51Z")
> [@Sinaijon](#): > > I agree. I just wish their government had the same compassion we do. > > It wasn’t the ‘people’ that we hated. But is Cuba worse than China, Vietnam, or Haiti? Hell, we let people go to South Africa back in the day. Not allowing Americans to (effectively) travel to Cuba is a blot on our freedom. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/6 "2008-11-17T20:30:43Z")
So if Obama restores diplomatic relations and ends the boycott, what should be done about all the financial claims by US citizens and corporations against the Cuban government ? ---
**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:** [November 17, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/7 "2008-11-17T20:31:27Z")
Since Castro is finally doing to slide from “mostly dead” to “all the way dead” during the next four years, it seems pretty likely that Obama might end up asking Congress to lift the embargo. But I’ll bet you a dollar that he’s not going to do a thing as long as Castro still has a pulse. ---
**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:** [November 17, 2008, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/8 "2008-11-17T20:32:39Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > So if Obama restores diplomatic relations and ends the boycott, what should be done about all the financial claims by US citizens and corporations against the Cuban government ? The obvious answer is to tell those people to take it up with the Cuban government. ---
**Author:** ![ASAKMOTSD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@ASAKMOTSD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASAKMOTSD)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/9 "2008-11-17T20:43:59Z")
Sorry - thought this was about [Mark Cuban](http://www.usatoday.com/money/markets/2008-11-17-sec-mark-cuban-mamma_N.htm?csp=34). ---
**Author:** ![E72521](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@E72521](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E72521)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/10 "2008-11-17T21:39:42Z")
It depends on whether or not the Cubans have learned their lesson. If it is decided that they have, he should. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/11 "2008-11-17T21:41:11Z")
The OP asserts without support that the US embargo of Cuba constitutes “the Cuban problems”. If that were the case, then ending the embargo would be a no-brainer, but I think that’s a pretty big thing to prove. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/12 "2008-11-17T21:46:49Z")
It is past time to end the embargo but not because the embargo is hurting the Cuban people or Cuba but because at this late date it makes more sense to negotiate with Cuba and try to once again have them as friends. I doubt it would take much for them to finish pushing away from a communist government. I think the big question is what is the embargo doing for the US at this point and time. > [@E72521](#): > > It depends on whether or not the Cubans have learned their lesson. If it is decided that they have, he should. What lessons were they suppose to be learning again? I forget? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/13 "2008-11-17T21:58:47Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The OP asserts without support that the US embargo of Cuba constitutes “the Cuban problems”. If that were the case, then ending the embargo would be a no-brainer, but I think that’s a pretty big thing to prove. Right. Even if our policies toward the Castro regime were such that even Oliver Stone and Sean Penn would be overjoyed, the fact would remain that said regime isn’t necessarily the best one for the Cuban people. There really is no way to tell for certain as there hasn’t been a free election in Cuba in…ever. I happen to think that the opening of diplomatic relation with China was necessary and justified by history - that certainly doesn’t mean everything Beijing has done since can be excused or even adequately explained. And while our actions as a society aren’t perfect either, at least we have pursued our aims with far more openness and input from our citizenry. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/14 "2008-11-17T22:05:41Z")
If Obama acted in the first year of his presidency, and if the policy was such a success for the Florida Cuban, then it could be a real winner by 2012. Since the policy would take time to work, there would be no reason to take a risky step in years two three or four. ---
**Author:** ![E72521](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@E72521](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E72521)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/15 "2008-11-17T22:10:35Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > What lessons were they suppose to be learning again? I forget? I don’t remember either, but I’m sure that by now, they’ve learned it. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/16 "2008-11-17T22:20:44Z")
I think the US policy toward Cuba is pretty much indefensible, but let’s get real: of all the problems facing the US, this is pretty far down the list. If Obama does decide to tackle the issue, let’s hope it waits until after the 2010 midterm elections. The first two years of his presidency have to be about the economy, health care, and Iraq. ---
**Author:** ![E72521](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@E72521](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E72521)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/17 "2008-11-17T22:26:01Z")
> [@Paul in Saudi](#): > > If Obama acted in the first year of his presidency, and if the policy was such a success for the Florida Cuban, then it could be a real winner by 2012. Since the policy would take time to work, there would be no reason to take a risky step in years two three or four. The Florida Cuban voting bloc doesn’t have that kind of influence down here anymore. Cubans are becoming a smaller and smaller fraction of the total Hispanic population of Florida. I’m not seeing a lot of enthusiasm from the Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, or Mexicans for the embargo. I think he could pull it off later down the road, but the sooner the better. [http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/2008/11/6/obama\_wins\_floridas\_hispanic\_vote.htm](http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/2008/11/6/obama_wins_floridas_hispanic_vote.htm) ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/18 "2008-11-17T22:35:02Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > Right. Even if our policies toward the Castro regime were such that even Oliver Stone and Sean Penn would be overjoyed, the fact would remain that said regime isn’t necessarily the best one for the Cuban people. There really is no way to tell for certain as there hasn’t been a free election in Cuba in…ever. Well, the embargo has hardly been a stunning success in encouraging change in Cuba, has it. Now, if we listen to the Cuban emigres, and believe that Cuba is the most oppressive regime on earth, they cannot even legitimately make the argument that the years of embargo have softened the Castro regime. Given that it seems to have been pretty much a failure in ousting the regime, what is the rationale behind keeping it. There isn’t even any kind of domino theory argument left anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/19 "2008-11-17T22:43:31Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > But is Cuba worse than China, Vietnam, or Haiti? Hell, we let people go to South Africa back in the day. > > Not allowing Americans to (effectively) travel to Cuba is a blot on our freedom. When I lived in Jamaica, there were trips one could take to Cuba where they would not stamp your passport. American tourists would frequently ask me if I was going to take one of these “secret” trips to Cuba. I was fond of replying “Actually, I’m Canadian, so I come from a free country where we have the right to travel wherever we want in the world.” ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2008, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165/20 "2008-11-18T00:29:16Z")
Not only yes, but hell yes. It’d give both of our economies a shot in the arm, improve QoL for Cubans significantly… Really, I ain’t seeing a down side except for having to tell some old mob families to shove it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165.md?page=2)