Reality check on Cuba

[83Nation]

Read the article. Very scary situation indeed. However...at the end it says he know works in BURMA!!! This guy is a glutten for punishment...or an actual spy.

Tough story, but he:

1. Willing went to a dictator-led, 3rd world country with a long history of not wanting outside influence
2. Didn't leave when his boss was arrested 5 months before

Definitely a spy


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[NSXCIGAR]

5 hours ago, Fugu said:

That's bringing it to the very point, NSX. You would have to change the system first, if you want to change economics. Permitting basic free-market principles and private enterprise within a communistic system ... well, I wouldn't say it couldn't work at all (yet mostly, even in niches where they tried it, it didn't)..., but at the very least, the Party will have a 'problem' explaining it ideologically. They are literally caught between a rock and a hard place, as they'd render themselves redundant. They might try with "reforms" but will eventually have to learn that it doesn't turn out functional.

That's why I've always maintained there's going to have to be a revolution for any significant change in Cuba. Not necessarily a violent one, but the change is going to have to come from the people rising up and throwing off the shackles. It does need to be an ideological change which can only occur through education and exposure to those principles. The people in power have every incentive not to change anything about the system--in fact, their incentive is to go further. Change is going to have to happen from the bottom up there.

[Philc2001]

10 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

That's why I've always maintained there's going to have to be a revolution for any significant change in Cuba. Not necessarily a violent one, but the change is going to have to come from the people rising up and throwing off the shackles. It does need to be an ideological change which can only occur through education and exposure to those principles. The people in power have every incentive not to change anything about the system--in fact, their incentive is to go further. Change is going to have to happen from the bottom up there.

True that! My only concern is the likely violence that will spill over if/when the people try to take back Cuba. Already anyone who opposes the party disappears. Any significant threat to the communist regime will likely be met by military might. The revolution, should there be one, will have to be led by brave souls willing to risk their life and limb unless other countries are willing to commit to a protection force to prevent the party from murdering any uprising. Regime change is never easy, and often bloody.   

[NSXCIGAR]

4 hours ago, Philc2001 said:

True that! My only concern is the likely violence that will spill over if/when the people try to take back Cuba. Already anyone who opposes the party disappears. Any significant threat to the communist regime will likely be met by military might. The revolution, should there be one, will have to be led by brave souls willing to risk their life and limb unless other countries are willing to commit to a protection force to prevent the party from murdering any uprising. Regime change is never easy, and often bloody.   

There's always the potential for violence, but I'm hopeful as it's quite remarkable the number of situations in communist countries that improved greatly without violence.

I also don't think Cuba would dare unleash the military on a non-weaponized rebelling citizenry. The US would step in mighty quick, rightly or wrongly, but one thing for certain is the leaders would be ousted immediately. Unfortunately, Cuba's been though that before. If I could pinpoint any one factor resulting in Cuba's situation it would be the US's involvement with Cuba's political process over the centuries.

Without the ideology and education necessary for the establishment and maintenance of freedom, the Cuban people could fall victim to one cult of personality or socialist regime after another. And I think paradoxically, the only way they'll get it is if sanctions are dropped and the embargo ends which no one wants to do unless there's change. Unfortunately, I fear the formula is backwards but I doubt anyone in a position to change anything sees that.