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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| Cuba: A Standing Offer |
| 2005-12-31 |
| (original opinion) I would like to suggest that perhaps we are going about our Cuba policy the wrong way. Well, maybe just not far enough. Ever since Castro revolted his way to power, the US has presented Cuba with "the big stick", while assuming the chaotic and despotic nature of his regime would lead to its eventual demise. But we have found frustration in the unexpected longevity of the beast, the inability of the opposition to avoid his brutal henchmen, but most especially a true lack of support for democratic change among his people. That is, before Castro, most Cubans lived like dogs. After Castro, they still lived like dogs, but dogs that at least got the occasional bone. So they embrace Castro, more or less. What better offer has been made to them? And that is my point: the US threatens, but what has the US offered Cuba? Pure bribery. A standing offer. Once the bearded fat man is gone, you can either continue to live like dogs, or what? Let me propose what at first may sound extraordinary, but is not beyond the possible. An offer that should be made to the Cuban people again and again. 1) One Trillion USD in aid the first year. Using Cuban labor, to rebuild their entire infrastructure to first world standards. 2) The retention of all military personnel who chose to stay in the Cuban army, at their current rank up to Major General, with full U.S. retirement benefits to all senior officers and NCOs. 3) A complete amnesty for those individuals who violated the standards of international law, and resettlement and pension in a neutral country for those who felt they could not remain in country, for fear of reprisal. 4) A massive reeducation program centering around english as a second language, and the re-creation of their technical and professional class to high standards. 5) A series of democratic elections, from local to national level, under the auspices of the UN. 6) Ten years later, to offer for public referendum that Cuba become the 51st State of the United States, or to become a tax-free territory of the US like Puerto Rico. I'm sure that any number of other "sweeteners" could be added to this deal, but the point is to tell the Cuban people, over and over again, that the US in no way intends to take away anything they have. Instead that we offer to them a seemingly endless bounty, and friendship. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #7 If only they'd listened. What a business we coulda had |
| Posted by: Hyman Roth 2005-12-31 17:05 |
| #6 A trillion dollars is ~40% of the total Federal budget for a year. It's about $90,000 per capita in Cuba (1 trillion / 11 million Cubans). I think that's a trifle high. Two trifles, in fact. If the idea is to reassure the Cuban people that after Fidel meets Himmler in Hell, we'll be friendly and warm in our relations, fine. But I see no need to leave any substantial amount of money on the table until we know what kind of system they're going to have. After all, there's still Raul. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2005-12-31 16:51 |
| #5 A better approach would be to offer them the same deal that Puerto Rico has and dump Puerto Rico. Cuban ballplayers are better anyway. |
| Posted by: RWV 2005-12-31 15:35 |
| #4 Moose just wants some good, legal, Cuban cigars. |
| Posted by: RWV 2005-12-31 15:33 |
| #3 I think we could make some offers - for some classic cars! |
| Posted by: 3dc 2005-12-31 15:11 |
| #2 As you point out, we've got PR. Who wants to create another welfare state? Let the Cubans work. After Castro goes, we might let the smart ones go back, if they want to. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2005-12-31 13:10 |
| #1 Why, Moose? Who cares about Cuba? Hell, we'd be better off threatening them that if they don't get rid of the bearded fat scumbag pronto we're going to FORCE THEM TO ACCEPT PUERTO RICO AS PART OF THE "PEOPLE'S PARADISE." It wouldn't take five years of having PR to absolutely flat-out bankrupt their sorry butts and we'd be rid of a useless, money-sucking encumbrance. Both Cuba and PR are not now, never have been, and never will be of any net benefit and the US would be better off if tomorrow we woke to find that both had sunk beneath the waves without a trace. Maybe we'll get lucky and Chavez will accept them both. |
| Posted by: mac 2005-12-31 12:37 |