Antone's Nightclub
Welcome Cuban Opportunity
RECEIVED Sat., Dec. 20, 2014
Dear Editor,
Our two senators apparently don't think much of the thaw in Cuban-American relations, and they aren't alone, especially among Republicans in the Senate and House. It would be useful to remember that the embargo began in October of 1960, two years after Castro took power, and is enforced by no less than six laws passed by Congress. Unless Cuba turns to democracy, the embargo will continue.
I believe we should welcome this opportunity, lift the embargo, and assume full diplomatic relations with Cuba. This will not only be a boon for American business interests, it has a good chance of liberating the Cuban people, who – our senators worry – continue to be oppressed by the secular communist regime.
It is not, and never has been, our place to insist that every country must be a democracy if they want to do business with us. We already provide almost 7% of Cuba's imports, which they pay for in cash. China, our biggest lender nation, is not quite a democracy either, is it?
President Obama, who, throughout his tenure, has had to deal not only with our nation's many challenges but also with a largely obstructionist Congress led by religious right-influenced Republicans, seems to finally be getting his sea legs under him. He has a chance to break the spell of hatred and aggression toward a regime that has lasted 55 years, ever since it overthrew the U.S.-supported Batista dictatorship – itself beginning with a military coup and which was even more corrupt and repressive than the current Castro regime is claimed to be. It's Christmas! Let's let peace on Earth mean something this year.
Our two senators apparently don't think much of the thaw in Cuban-American relations, and they aren't alone, especially among Republicans in the Senate and House. It would be useful to remember that the embargo began in October of 1960, two years after Castro took power, and is enforced by no less than six laws passed by Congress. Unless Cuba turns to democracy, the embargo will continue.
I believe we should welcome this opportunity, lift the embargo, and assume full diplomatic relations with Cuba. This will not only be a boon for American business interests, it has a good chance of liberating the Cuban people, who – our senators worry – continue to be oppressed by the secular communist regime.
It is not, and never has been, our place to insist that every country must be a democracy if they want to do business with us. We already provide almost 7% of Cuba's imports, which they pay for in cash. China, our biggest lender nation, is not quite a democracy either, is it?
President Obama, who, throughout his tenure, has had to deal not only with our nation's many challenges but also with a largely obstructionist Congress led by religious right-influenced Republicans, seems to finally be getting his sea legs under him. He has a chance to break the spell of hatred and aggression toward a regime that has lasted 55 years, ever since it overthrew the U.S.-supported Batista dictatorship – itself beginning with a military coup and which was even more corrupt and repressive than the current Castro regime is claimed to be. It's Christmas! Let's let peace on Earth mean something this year.
Jack Mathys