Well, If we did not have an embargo the people would be better off! I do not give a rats behind about the dictator... It has been long enough.... I think the American elite that were booted out just want their resorts back. Spoiled rotten American wealthy, making Cuba suffer. After all we see that in China communism is waning.. Why, because of trade!!!! Modernization and technology do wonders in a peaceful way to do away with oppressive governments.
The rest of the world is free to trade with Cuba. Canada and Russia are loaded with agriculture and petroleum. China makes enough junk that that Cuban govt. could just start their own
. Of course, it would be called Castromart and he and his cronies would get all the profits. You've got to love capitalism, when the govt. is in charge.
Socialism and Communism are not the same thing. I am an not an apologist for dictatorships... I find learning and studying systems like Chavez's as valuable and useful. No one has the answer for what works long term and what does not as far as economic models go.. So why not be open minded to learning about other systems, the good and the bad... I am no sheep that will be fed propaganda on how bad or broken another system is when ours in not really in better shape.
You say that you love studying all of these other systems and then, say that NOONE knows what works and what doesn't. I can tell you what doesn't work. When I put forth good effort to make my life better, and the neighbor, who does nothing, comes by, with the force of the federal govt. behind him, basically, at the point of a gun, and demands that I give up a portion, because the lazy man has nothing, I'm either going to protest, through violence or indifference, and just quit working, myself. Here's something that you should have been introduced to in grade school....It's a story called, "The Little Red Hen." It pretty much describes socialism, and sadly, it is so true.
Now on to Socialism.... IF I say if, we had no government and no favoring of the elite and wealthy then the world would not need Socialism..
. Since human greed is innate, I feel protections and balancing by a government is needed. I see our approach ending with a handful of Rich and a whole country full of uneducated peasants. Decay and collapse then mindless revolution.
I have said, many times, that there is no such thing as anarchy. True anarchy would be everyone living peacably and prosperously, with their neighbors...Each, doing his own thing, without the heavy hand of govt. intervention.
Today, when supposed anarchy breaks out and stores get broken into, he who is strongest and fastest and greediest, grabs the large screen tv and leaves the 10 incher for the weak.
Trust me, there are no such things as benevolent dictators.
You admit that humans are naturally greedy, yet you think that govt. should be the arbitrator of all good things......People are greedy...Govt. is made up of people. Therefore, govt. is greedy.
And amazingly, one of the most outstanding models of greed, which was supposed to lift up the common man, and make things equitable, is the unions...The biggest business, in this country, run by unions, couldn't even manage a simple retirement account...Why? Because of greed. And now, they, who made outrageous wages and benefits, want to reach into the pocket of a hardworking, self employed man, with the help of the federal govt. and resecure their retirement / benefits package....How long are you going to put up with this, as a free man...Unless, maybe, you are one of them?
Europe is getting way ahead of us... The only reason they had an economic crisis is because when a giant like the US falls in the pond, the smaller economies get knocked around by the waves..
I worked for a very successful company from a Socialist country.... I saw the differences in detail, I lived the differences... I understand what Socialism in Europe is.... We better get on the bus soon, before it is too late.
As I said before I am open minded.. I am willing to give anything a try, if reducing government services, and giving more to the wealthy, helps close the gap on income disparity, our failing education system, and our embarrassing incredibly expensive health care system that gives us shorter life spans than almost any other first world nation... I am willing to try.
So Royd, You never answered my question on if you have ever been to or spent time in a country that has a Socialist system.. Canada or most of Europe come to mind..
ON
Yeah, I've been to Canada, in the '90's and the cost of fuel was through the roof, and they sold it by the liter, so that the meter on the pump ran so fast, you couldn't even see the price. And I've been to Oregon, where they think that you are too stupid to even pump your own gas...Actually, it's a govt. mandate, under the quise of saftey, just to keep people employed, thus, causing me to have to pay more for my fuel.
