You know I really enjoy talking about the embargo because it brings all the apologists for the castro regime out of the woodwork. And we’re only going to see more and more about this as congress prepares to try to weaken the embargo…AGAIN. An effort that is probably doomed AGAIN for at least the next two years because I think the president will find that veto pen in his drawer. But the shrill arguments are only going to get more shrill.
You see this is all about Cuba trying to get over on the US. Every business partner Cuba has had in the last 48 years has lost money by the barrel. Witness the Soviets, now the Venezuelans. The Cuban government has closed the small and mid-sized joint ventures with Europe often leaving investors holding the bag. So castro and his sychophants are essentially a gang of con artists. They paint a pretty picture of future profits while they put their hand out. But when it’s time to pay up, poof! They are nowhere to be found. An act that David Copperfield would be jealous of.
It’s not surprising that some countries have caught on to this little game and decided that they aren’t going to be played like a fiddle anymore. Countries like China which recently withdrew plans to make a large investment in Cuban nickel mining and processing. The Chinese may be ruthless but they aren’t dumb? Why go into business with a proven loser?
The problem with being a con artist, of course, is that you have to find new suckers all the time. And there are only so many countries in the world. Ah but the last great sucker is out there for the castroites. America!
As avenues of trade and banking around the world begin to close to Cuba, it becomes imperative for the con artists to bag the elephant that is American trade. Not that there’s any long term plan behind it. Not that there is any idea for political and economic reform behind it. It’s all about ganando tiempo or buying time.
The same thing with the travel sector. Cuba is losing its charm as a tourist destination to Europeans and Canadians because it’s getting a bad reputation. And it’s no wonder with stories like the one below about backed up toilets, dirty bed linens, and flies in the food. Or other stories like the horny masseur that groped a Canadian tourist’s wife. Of course when the tourist confronted the masseur, he got detained by the Cuban police. The truth is that Mexico and the Dominican Republic are much better deals than Cuba for tourists and Cuba is feeling the pinch. But there’s an army of new suckers in the great norte that are curious about the forbidden land of Cuba. And you know what Thomas Tusser said about fools and their money…they are soon parted.
Well folks, if you want the US to be the next in the long line of suckers that the castroites cojen de chino lowering the embargo is a sure way to do it.
I love that the people who argue for big government and programs to protect the consumer bitch and moan about this.
I can’t take part in a pyramid chain letter scheme, but I should be able to trade with the largest and longest-working band of thieves in the hemisphere?
I haven’t heard an argument that even comes close to convincing.
Intransigence!
It’s not the government’s place to “protect” the consumer from himself. If someone wants to put money on a risky investment or buy from a company that has a history of selling lemons then the risk fall on them.
That being said henry is right. The DR is a much better travel deal. Cuba has gotten too damn corrupt and everywhere you turn someone is trying to steal your money.
But don’t be suprised if you end up being detained by police after getting in a brawl with someone in the Domican Republic or Mexico. Also corruption is rampant there as well, it’s just not as bad. It’s best to always keep your head on a swivel while traveling in a low or medium income country.
It sure as hell isn’t the government’s role to back-up the Cuban debt. Just who do you think the farmers and such are going to try to get the money from when the Cubans aren’t forthcoming?
There ain’t a subsidy that these guys don’t like. Don’t kid yourself.
Who do you think is the principal shareholder in the World bank and other such lending institutions? Uncle Sam, that’s who.
And you may find yourself in the pokie in the Dominican or Mexico but they aren’t going to grab your passport or prevent the rest of your family from leaving for a few days. Remember this guy was Canadian not American. They can’t blame it on the lack of diplomacy between the two countries.
But Cuba has proved that it doesn’t give a flying fuck about Canada by denouncing that country in the UN Human Rights Commission.
Uh, no.
It sure as hell isn’t the government’s role to back-up the Cuban debt. Just who do you think the farmers and such are going to try to get the money from when the Cubans aren’t forthcoming?
There ain’t a subsidy that these guys don’t like. Don’t kid yourself.
Who do you think is the principal shareholder in the World bank and other such lending institutions? Uncle Sam, that’s who.
And you may find yourself in the pokie in the Dominican or Mexico but they aren’t going to grab your passport or prevent the rest of your family from leaving for a few days. Remember this guy was Canadian not American. They can’t blame it on the lack of diplomacy between the two countries.
But Cuba has proved that it doesn’t give a flying fuck about Canada by denouncing that country in the UN Human Rights Commission.
Uh, no.
Somewhat off topic but OMG, I JUST SAW THE CUBANACCOMODATION.COM WEBSITE. If you haven’t seen this, please do. Draw your own conclusions. I’m still in shock.
“It sure as hell isn’t the government’s role to back-up the Cuban debt. Just who do you think the farmers and such are going to try to get the money from when the Cubans aren’t forthcoming?”
This is true but one wrong doesn’t justify another. The government should stop bailing out inefficient businesses, stop providing subsidies, and stop giving our money to the world bank as well as lifting the embargo.
“you may find yourself in the pokie in the Dominican or Mexico but they aren’t going to grab your passport or prevent the rest of your family from leaving for a few days.”
Usually the law in third world countries is whatever the local authorities decide it is at the time. I wouldn’t trust Mexican or Dominican justice. After all both countries deal with massive institutionalized corruption. And when they have a gringo by the balls they are going to try and bleed him for as much as they think they can get away with.
But you’re right overall Cuba is a worse travel destination and more corrupt. But not by a lot.
Despite Mr. Gomez’s convincing argument that the Cuban government is basically a “con artist”, does it down on anybody that many nations in Latin America have or have had substantial unpaid debts, some of which have resulted in economic crashes. And, despite all this, have not been sanctioned.
The US has trade relations with many nations that have large unpaid debts, and some of which have been forgiven. But, does the US sanction them when their debts persist? Do they consider these nations as “con artist”? I don’t think so.
A review of sanctions policy would show if countries decide to sanction other countries because they thought that they were “con artists”. I think Mr. Gomez’s argument would fall flat after an analysis.
Either way, Mr. Gomez is arguing that the US has sanctions on Cuba for the own good of our nation. Thus, American businesses are dumb and naive when thinking only about profit. But, is it the US government that should tell businesses what is good for its own sake?
If one really examines Mr. Gomez’s arguments, he’s just saying that the US should have no trade relations with an immoral nation. It’s the most popular argument: the moral position.
But, just like believing the US should have sanctions “for the own good” of Americans, believing that the US has a “moral position” in reference to Cuba is pure arrogance.