jackd

The author has a sense of humour

Misdirected dollar diplomacy

NATIONAL VIEW | chicago tribune

For anyone who wants to study the law of unintended consequences, or the effects of a bone-headed foreign policy, the ideal laboratory has to be Cuba.

For decades the centerpiece of U.S. policy has been to throttle Cuba with an economic embargo in the hope that it would squeeze Fidel Castro out of power. Has it worked? Well, Fidel was a stud-muffin in his mid-30s when the embargo began. Now approaching 80, he's tripping over himself - but still in charge. You do the math.
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Results have been remarkably counterproductive. Castro is richer by several hundred million dollars, and the fortunes of Cubans on either side of the Florida Straits - the folks the policy was supposed to help - are that much worse.
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The forced currency exchange has effectively transferred at least $300 million in private hands to the government coffers. Take that, Fidel!

In addition to having remittances from the United States cut to $1,200 a year, Cubans on the island will have to pay $120 of that in fees to the government to buy their chavitos. That'll raise hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars for the government. That'll teach Castro a lesson!
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In other words, replace the useless contraptions of embargoes, restrictions and regulations with what America preaches to the rest of the world - free trade and freedom of movement.

That'll make the old man really nuts.

http://www.the-leader.com/articles/2...ion/edit01.txt

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have a nice day

Gunny

I sit here at times and just wonder what the place will be like when(not if ) the travel embargo is lifted.. I'm afraid on one hand and hopeful on the other that things will not chnge too much.
I had some friends of mine go to Viet Nam for a tour....
China is just a tourist stop now as is The old Soviet Union..
so I guess it's only N. Korea and Cuba left.....and Cuba hasn't fired a shot in the Us direction in Many a year..

Just sittin here thinkin what it's all about.

travelpatty

Good article Jack. Not likely to happen for at least 4 more years, 4 more year, 4 more years....