Should the US end its embargo of Cuba?

2014-10-09T23:06:57-04:00

My buddy CW5 Private RallyPoint Member started a discussion about North Korea, (Go check out that thread, there's some good stuff there to contemplate) and it really got me to thinking about other isolated countries that exist today; and the reasons for their isolation. It also got me thinking about how the US has approached diplomatic relations in the past with otherwise closed off countries (USSR, China, etc...)

Now, obviously nation-state diplomacy is not a one size fits all proposition. Every decision made and every policy implemented must be based on the facts as they exist in each individual circumstance; I understand that.

My question is very simple. Should we end the trade embargo that has been in place since 1962 against Cuba?

I am 46 years old, I didn't report for duty until 6 years after this embargo was put in place, so this is a history that I learned about in school without having lived through it. I acknowledge that that taints the prism of my understanding of the issue. I don't have any first hand knowledge of events.

For many others, they remember a time when there was free to-and-from travel to Cuba. That undoubtedly, informs their opinions as well; it's not just history, it's part of their memory of events.

I actually DO have an opinion on this question, and it's not just one I've recently arrived upon, but have spent years thinking about. I don't want to share that opinion with you all yet, (but I will in due time) because I want your opinions first, without me influencing your train of thought. I know that comes off as supremely arrogant; as if anyone give a flying futon what I think, or that what I think ought to influence you...

BUT, in the interest of a completely untainted and fair discussion, I want to wait to declare my position.

In that spirit, I also would like to invite you to check out a website I found tonight that has a page or two dedicated to this question. I gave it a read and found it to be (at least in this question) exactly what it claims to be: It is unbiased, unfiltered, and free of political spin. It simply presents the facts from both sides and challenges you to think critically and draw your own conclusions.

I find that remarkably refreshing!

Check out (if you need a refresher on the issue): http://cuba-embargo.procon.org/

Let the RP community know your thoughts.

cuban embargo%2C start - Google Search

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2014 11:40 PM

2014-10-09T23:40:59-04:00

I think it should end. I really don't think it has done anything but make things difficult for the Cuban population. Really what purpose has it served?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 9 at 2014 11:40 PM

2014-10-09T23:40:46-04:00

Let's start by having Cuba send me a year's production of their cigars and we can further discuss their options......

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Oct 9 at 2014 11:40 PM

2014-10-09T23:40:53-04:00

If it served any purpose at all that purpose it has been exhausted. Yes it is time to end it.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2014 11:54 PM

2014-10-09T23:54:22-04:00

Think of the effect of lifting the embargo on world opinion in this vein; lifting the embargo means that the Castro brothers and their ilk were right in what they did when taking over the country of Cuba. Those two were NOT elected. They overthrew a government and nationalized several companies without compensation. The Castro's continue to arrest / convict / jail more Cuban citizens, per capita than any country in the world. The U.S. decision to embargo Cuba was a refusal to deal with Castro and his government. While the embargo affects the cuban people, it is the only tool the U.S. has to express it's displeasure - other than taking up arms. EVERY attempt by the U.S. to open the doors to Cuba has been rebuffed. To this day, the U.S. government, state governments and local governments (and thus, YOU, the taxpayer) are paying to house, feed, clothe and medicate thousands of mentally ill cubans sent deliberately by Castro to U.S. shores (Muriel boatlift).

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2014 12:15 AM

2014-10-10T00:15:59-04:00

Why not end it, we have open trade with China and Russia. We even give to North Korea, there is no reason for us to keep this in place now. It is not helping their country in any way. It could be a boost to their economy as well as ours if we open trade and travel with them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2014 9:04 AM

2014-10-10T09:04:31-04:00

The Economy of Cuba would grow exponentially if their cigars where brought in to the states.

I wonder how they would handle having new cars?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2014 9:10 AM

2014-10-10T09:10:18-04:00

I say we deal with other communist countries, we should be able to deal with Cuba. Doesn't mean we need to be "friends." I say end the embargo. Its purpose has been served.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2014 1:00 PM

2014-12-17T13:00:03-05:00

We chose to embargo Cuba for many of the same reasons we embraced trade with China. It appears that embracing trade has done more to enhance liberty in China than our embargo has done to enhance liberty in Cuba. It's time to reset relations with Cuba and expand the role capitalism plays in thier economy.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Sep 29 at 2015 3:48 AM

2015-09-29T03:48:21-04:00

Obama, who has used executive authority to relax parts of the embargo, said in his speech to the assembly that the United States still has differences with the Cuban government. "We will continue to stand up for human rights," he said.
He said, however, that he was confident that with increased diplomatic, commercial and other contacts "our Congress will inevitably lift an embargo that should not be in place anymore."