Monday, April 13, 2009
Like America’s failed ‘War on Drugs,’ our failed policy of embargoes have had absolutely no affect on toppling Castro’s dictatorial hold on the island nation, located a mere 90 miles south of Key West, FL.
But a new poll shows that two-thirds of Americans think the U.S. should lift the travel ban on Cuba and three-quarters think the U.S. should end its five-decade estrangement with the country and reestablish diplomatic relations.
As is often the case, the American people are way ahead of their government when it comes to Cuba.
And the Obama administration has signaled new rules on family travel and remittances to Cuba may be announced before the president goes to the Summit of the Americas on April 17.
A group of senators and other supporters unveiled a bill March 31 to lift the 47-year-old travel ban to Cuba.
The travel ban allows a limited number of U.S. citizens to visit Cuba, but they must apply for special licenses to do so. Though illegal, U.S. citizens often ignore the ban and travel to a third country like Mexico or Canada and then onto Cuba.
Editors Note: After this post was published, President Obama directed his administration to allow unlimited travel and money transfers by Cuban Americans to family in Cuba and to take other steps to ease U.S. restrictions on the island, according to the Associated Press
From the Left 
The reason we don’t have normal relations with Cuba is the small but vocal South Florida Cubano population would screech and scream and stomp their feet in protest and Washington DC is afraid of them. Meanwhile, U.S. businesses — particularly, the tourist industry, loses billions to the Germans and French who have had tourist operation on the island for decades.
Travel to Cuba and a continued “demystifying” of that troubled country would no doubt lead to the breakdown of the decades-old oppression of Cubans.
Joe in Colorado…When I said on a local blog that I was in favor of opening up trade and normal relations with Cuba, many displaced Cubans spoke out with angry rebuttals. And they do make Floridian politicians shake in their boots. There is no doubt of their influence in American politics.
When I was a young man I remember the days when Cuba was THE hot spot for fun. Before Vegas…there was Cuba. Now give me a shot of rum and let me do the cha-cha-cha!
I have friends who went ostensibly with a school group and they said Cuba is fascinating.
The people are very friendly, glad to see Americans, the food is great, and the 1950’s U.S. cars are like something from a museum.
They said go now, before it opens up and every other block has a DKNY store and a Starbucks and the beaches are lined with Hilton and Travelodge hotels.
vicodaniel1987@yahoo.com
Like the so-called war on drugs, the embargo policy against Cuba is an absolute favor. In addition, our farmers and other businesses could use a change of policy to make significant in-roads into Cuba. Cuba has shown a willingness to work with U.S. businesses, but the longer we wait, the more time we’re losing in getting our foot in the door and helping our own economy to recover through expansion.
Free citizens of the United States should be allowed to travel anywhere they wish. The US policy toward Cuba can only be described as schizo given they way we have snuggled up to China, whose human rights record is just as bad. So the policy can’t really be about communism. It’s about paranoia surrounding one man – Fidel Castro.
So much happened while I was in Sedona. No TV or radio and the world changed. I think the president is 100% correct to begin normalizing relations with Cuba. For Christ’s sake, we’re separated by 90 miles of water. We can do more to affect change with an open hand than a clinched fist.
I can’t wait to get on a plane and head to cuba, before it becomes a tourist trap. I want to see it just like it is. The situation with Cuba is stupid, we embargo Cuba but China gets off scott free…oh wait I see, Cuba is poor and China funds us….yeah that makes a whole lot of sense.
I am chinese ,but at this time I am in India , I want go to havana for the business meeting by myself,could tell how can I get here cheap way from Shanghai to havana . thanks very much !