Ever since the U. S. embargo on Cuba was imposed, it has been a very useful tool for the Castro Regime to blame the U. S. for every economic ill suffered by that island state. The mantra is that woe us, poor little Cuba bring crushed by the giant Yankee Imperialists.
The reality of the situation is that the embargo has been totally useless. Every single country on this planet trades with Cuba, except for the U. S. Therefore, the embargo is one in name only, not in fact.
The real reason for Cuba’s economic problems is the top down, commissar planned nature of the Communist way of doing business. This type of system stymies individual initiative and personal improvement. It has failed everywhere it has been tried, and Cuba is no exception.
The absolute best way for Cuba to do away with Communism is for the people to be exposed to capitalism, even if it is greatly socialized, as it currently is in the United States.
But easing relations with Cuba has been a taboo subject for Republicans because of the effect of the Miami Cubans on the Republican Party. With elections as close as they have been, especially in Florida, Republicans cannot afford to lose the support of any voting bloc, and that includes the Cuban voting bloc.
For reasons that defy common sense, the Miami Cubans are dead set on opposing normalization of relations with Cuba. The only way that any progress can take place is for a Democrat to do it. A Democrat has no fear of losing that voting bloc, because he never had it.
Based on what we know about Obama, his move to normalize relations with Cuba should be eyed with a great deal of suspicion. But on the surface it must be concluded that such a move is a positive one.