President Obama caused quite a stir yesterday when he announced the normalization of relations with Cuba. Of course, Republicans quickly went ape-shit at this announcement and are already lining up to oppose it. Being that it’s the President’s constitutional prerogative to conduct foreign affairs, I’m not sure what whiny Congressmembers can do.
As for ditching restrictions on Cuba, I say good riddance! I’ve never understood the continuing economic embargo against Cuba. Yes, Cuba is a communist country but for decades we’ve had no trouble doing business with communist (and nuclear-armed) China. Hell, China actively spies on us, conducts provocative naval maneuvers, and is actively working to diminish the stature of the United States in the Pacific region. I suppose if Cuba had a population of a billion potential consumers like China we be falling all over ourselves to put aside our differences.
The other issue at play here is the hit in stature that Cuban-focused politicians take. For decades, these politicians have drawn their power from the Cuban embargo. They’ve positioned themselves as the gatekeeper to Cuba and if that gate swings wide open their power goes with it. For them, the best interests of Cuba and/or the United States has always taken a back seat to their own interests. Screw ’em.
I am thrilled that President Obama is taking this step and am thankful that Pope Francis helped shepherd it along. It’s high time we all moved on.
(Cuba and Castro has always been a useful boogey man. Read this stunning transcript in the National Security Archives of Castro’s offer to be a boogey man for LBJ.