This – where are the 57 thousand American dead fighting Cuba? Yet we buy sneakers made in Vietnam. Which is still a one-party nondemocratic state.
However, um…
There was one. Really big one. Became politically and fiscally more hassle than it was worth and got pulled out in '03.
OTOH, the huge move of Puerto Ricans to Central Florida in the last 20 years has meant that when combined with the other Latinos and minorities, all together they neutralize the Cubans at the ballot box enough so Florida is no longer a secure (R) in Presidential elections.
Thanks for this. I assumed that the Puerto Ricans would be receptive to a naval base and the money that it would pump into the economy but assumptions aren’t always safe.
It’s not how big the biz is, but who it affects. OTOH, if you’re rich enough to be in the “politically influential” class, then you probably already have your method of getting Cuban cigars all set. And you might like that it’s not so easy for everyone else to get them!
And all those nations trade with a country whose Central Intelligence Agency performs torture, with support from some of its recent leaders. In other words, we don’t necessarily have the moral high ground, anyway.
The days of the red menace spreading across the globe are over. The Russians have enough trouble keeping their own economy afloat without trying to meddle in the Americas. I should think between bases in Texas and Florida we can move enough military assets where needed in the unlikely event that we need to.
That depends…does a box cost less than $100, which appears to be the limit on tobacco?
Speaking of which, if you import Cuban cigars, are they subject to state/local tobacco taxes?
That depends on how you define “do business with Cuba.” Somehow, I don’t see Havana allowing direct sales by foreign-owned businesses to Cuban citizens - at least, not without very heavy taxes that, in most cases, would price the goods out of their reach anyway. Do you honestly expect any major car manufacturer to make any progress in Cuba any time soon?
I have a feeling Havana is under the impression that they expect Americans to start giving stuff to Cubans without expecting anything in return. (I have heard a number of stories about how college sports teams (usually baseball and softball) tour Cuba, take one look at the dilapidated equipment, and fight the urge to give a lot of their own stuff away - except to the last team on the tour, and I wouldn’t be surprised if either (a) schools jockey for that position or (b) that is a reward from the government for one reason or another.)
One other thing I didn’t see mention; anything being dependent upon Cuban citizens being given the freedom to travel out of the country. I have a feeling that the next step will be some tax agreement where Cubans who move to the USA are still subject to Cuban taxation - including, say, 80% of any amount over $1 million per year (i.e. if you want to profit from the baseball skills you learned here, then we get our cut, thank you very much).
Stories are now abounding that the Pope was very instrumental behind the scenes in getting Goss released and in getting diplomatic relations established.
If that tax agreement got passed, I think Cuba would drop emigration restrictions (which I do oppose, in spite of my sympathies for the Cuban regime) in a heartbeat. It’s a win-win: they get to rid themselves of troublesome people who dislike the regime, while at the same time getting to tax their incomes.
I don’t think the reset button has been pressed, but I do think we found that there is one, and most people are now wondering exactly what will happen when we press it. When, not if.
IMO this is long overdue and a big deal.
Plus, I can’t wait to vacation on Cuba’s beaches! Woot!
About time, truth is Cuba was never important or a threat, just an island off the coast of Florida. We do business with China and Russia, which are far more capable of doing harm, or did. China was our enemy in the Korean War. Or Vietnam, in which nearly 60,000 of our men died.
Cuba was never at war with us, nor was it ever capable. We drove Fidel Castro into the Soviets arms. He wanted to have friendly relations with all nations. That is not to say he is not a dictator, but really so many out there where we had relations with and still do. Heck Iran is much more of a nuisance and trouble maker than Cuba ever was.
All this because of a small nation, that only wanted to be independent? When Castro visited Washington in April 1959, President Eisenhower snubbed him and went to play golf. Instead he met with Vice President Nixon.
So yes the sanctions that have been in place for more than half a century should be removed.
