Opening relations with Cuba is a good move. The world is not perfect. Nor is it the same as it was 50 or even 20 years ago.
American engagement in Cuba can only serve to enhance freedom and the opportunities for democracy there.
Slowly opening an economic market of 11 million people, just 90 miles off our coast, is good for American business and jobs.
Full freedom and democracy for the Cuban people will not come overnight. However, keeping the full trade embargo in place and trying to further isolate Cuba is not the solution. We can't wait till Cuba has a government structure just like our before attempting to engage it.
While Russia's economy weakens, we as a nation have a unique opportunity to fill a developing void and power vacuum in Cuba. By engaging now, we will have more influence in Cuba for good (democracy and human rights) than we have had in the last 50 years.
It is time for America and Cuba to look to the future. Support American engagement in Cuba.
Tim Gobble
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Mr. Gobble,
I invite everyone to read your article aloud while looking directly into a mirror.Read it aloud several times.
America simply cannot afford to "engage" in business relations with desperately poor countries governed by military dictatorships. We have tried that for decades with very little lasting success.
Cuba is another place for us to support and supply rebels with the training, supplies, and weapons to topple a dictatorship and build voting booths.
Check the long long history with Haiti and a dozen other countries where we exert our influence to bring democracy.
The cost of raising Cuba from the ashes will be paid for by the person[s] looking into the mirror as they read your article. The President and the Pope won't give a personal penny to the plan.
Teddy Ladd
East Ridge