Today during "Congress" we got to debate the Cuban Embargo bill. And the people who argued against it really only had one thing to say; "WE SHOULDN'T AFFIRM COMMUNISM!"
There are only four countries left in the world under a communist government. China, North Korea, Vietnam, and Cuba. Of these four countries, we trade with all but Cuba. Obviously, the United States isn't that concerned with seemingly "supporting" communism.
And the thing is, we wouldn't be affirming communism at all. China freaking blocks Google, and they're our 2nd largest trading partner.
It's not about whether our priorities are the same. It's about not letting our pride get in the way of economic prospects.
We started the Cuban Embargo way back during the Cold War, because Russia was using Cuba as a missile base and there was a lot of violence that could potentially spread to us if we didn't cut them off. However, it didn't end here. In 1992, we created the "Cuban Democracy Act", to extend the embargo until there is "democratization and greater respect for human rights".
Personally, I think this is ridiculous. Sure, what the Cuban government is doing to its people is crap, but we don't have any power to change it, especially not with the "silent treatment". When Americans decided they wanted change, we fought for it. But until the masses of Cuban civilians take a stand and ask for our help, we can't do a thing.
If we really wanted to help these people, we'd lift the embargo. Not only would tourism help the overall economy, but the individual citizens as well. Trade would mean hope for these people, and right now, that's all we can give to them.
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