| The United States has had an embargo against Cuba | | | | percentage of goods consumed by Americans are |
| since 1962. In 1992 this embargo became codified as | | | | "Made in China." They have only made minor strides in |
| the as The Cuban Democracy Act. This has been the | | | | human rights and democratic reform and yet, they |
| longest economic and travel restriction embargo in | | | | are one of our largest trading partners. |
| U.S. history. It is time to end these trade restrictions | | | | We are all familiar with America's "cultural imperialism." |
| and open the doors of commerce and travel to the | | | | Those who trade extensively with the U.S. frequently |
| people of Cuba. The question is not whether the | | | | succumb to the American way of life. Coke and |
| embargo was ever justified, but rather is there any | | | | McDonalds is no stranger to China and while travel is |
| sane reason to keep it? | | | | somewhat restricted, Americans can go to China and |
| On February 19th, Fidel Castro announced that he | | | | share our way of life and thinking. Change may be |
| was stepping down as president of Cuba. At 81 | | | | slow, but there is change. At the other end of the |
| years old and with failing health, the long reign of this | | | | spectrum is North Korea. By keeping North Korea |
| dictator has all but come to an end. While the mantle | | | | from participating with the rest of the world |
| of power has been handed over to his brother Raul, | | | | community, we have kept that country in the dark |
| at the age of 76, even his position as head of state | | | | ages. |
| cannot be too long lived. The Heritage Foundation | | | | With economic and cultural contact we see many |
| argues that, "The United States should keep existing | | | | countries that have at least taken initial steps |
| policies in place until Cuba makes real progress on | | | | towards improved human and political rights. If we |
| political reforms and human rights issues." This is | | | | open the door to the Cuban people and increase our |
| shear ignorance. | | | | economic and cultural ties, we will see change in a |
| Embargoes have never been an effective tool to | | | | more positive direction. If we continue to treat the |
| change the internal policies of another government. | | | | Cuban government as our arch enemy, then the new |
| The U.S. embargo of North Korea has been a sham. | | | | leaders that wait in the wings will have little choice |
| Our embargo of Iran has been ineffective. All | | | | but to continue to work against American interests. |
| embargoes seem to do is to entrench anti-American | | | | To demand change before we allow contact and |
| sentiments while black marketers, frequently | | | | trade is hypocritical. One has to merely look at some |
| American controlled, make huge sums of money | | | | of our trading partners to see that this has not been |
| providing the very resources that are the target of | | | | the cardinal rule of American foreign policy. |
| such embargoes. Such actions further drive the | | | | By ending the embargo now, we will help raise a new |
| recipient of these ineffectual embargoes into the | | | | generation of Cuban leaders that are more friendly |
| hands of those we distrust,such as Russia or China. | | | | towards our interests. The people of Cuba have |
| History has shown that the best way to deal with | | | | suffered long enough. End the embargo now and |
| those we distrust is to keep the channels of trade | | | | perhaps we will even get a boost for our ailing |
| and communication open. Look at China. While it is | | | | economy. |
| certainly far from a bastion of democracy, a large | | | | |