Libertarian Party Release: U.S. Embargo on Cuba

The Libertarian Party ^ | May 21, 2002 | Libertarian Party

[tdadams]

I have yet to hear a cogent argument why America gives most favored nation trading status to China, an oppressive Communist dictatorship, but prohibits any trade or travel with Cuba, also an oppressive Communist dictatorship.

I think the fedgov has a serious problem conceding defeat when it comes to failed policies, i.e. war on drugs, war on poverty, social security, etc.

[strela]

Libertarian Party Release

I thought I smelled something in the air. Oh well, blame it on the dog.

[justshutupandtakeit]

While I typically mock and treat the Liberts with disdain, I am in agreement with them on this issue.

[afuturegovernor]

Another reason why I am proudly not a libertarian.

[ml/nj]

Does the government have the right to prevent me from selling food to a fugative from justice?

I think it does.

ML/NJ

[Redleg Duke]

Have a little respect for the dog, please!

[afuturegovernor]

If Bush really wants to send a pro-liberty message to Fidel Castro, he can do it by ending the embargo on American freedom."

Just yesterday Bush gave an awesome speech on why to keep the embargo on communist dicator Castro.

Pick your foreign policy towards Cuba--written by A) Mr. Bush B) Mr. Carter

[tdadams]

Does the government have the right to prevent me from selling food to a fugative from justice?

You don't buy any products made in China either?

[r9etb]

"According to the U.S. International Trade Commission, U.S. firms lose between $600 million and $1.2 billion worth of business per year by not being able to trade with Cuba.

U.S. firms "lose" nothing at all, because they cannot invest anything in Cuba.

Why should American businesses and consumers be punished because Cuba is a communist state?

This is the sort of nonsense that results when a party defines itself and its moral underpinnings solely in terms of sales.

I told you a few days back that the LP does a fine job of marginalizing itself. Here's a perfect example.

[afuturegovernor]

This press release sounds exactly like Senator Chris Dodd's (D-CT) talking points yesterday reacting to Bush's speech in Miami.

[gdani]

THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE but:

If you or somone you know is caught traveling to Cuba (actually, it's perfectly "legal" to travel there, you just can't spend any money) and the Office of Foreign Assets Control comes after you they have to and will give an opportunity for a hearing.

You may want to request the hearing and take your chances. Currently, OFAC has no judges and no staff to conduct hearings. They never have and, hopefully, never will. So, you may be safe unless they decide to actually pay for some judges one of these days and, even then, they would conceivably have a huge backlog of cases.

Too many people get spooked by OFAC and agree to a monetary settlement when they may not have to.

[afuturegovernor]

This is the sort of nonsense that results when a party defines itself and its moral underpinnings solely in terms of sales.

Exactly, the Democrats aren't the only party without a moral compass.

[ml/nj]

You don't buy any products made in China either?

Actually I would prefer not to buy things from China. These days one frequently has no choice.

But that's not the issue. The issue is whether or not there are ever legitimate reasons for prohibitting voluntary transactions. I think there are. The "Libertarians" apparently think there are not. ("The U.S. government has no business ordering Americans not to trade with or travel to Cuba or any other nation,")

ML/NJ

[gdani]

I have yet to hear a cogent argument why America gives most favored nation trading status to China, an oppressive Communist dictatorship, but prohibits any trade or travel with Cuba, also an oppressive Communist dictatorship

Almost a dozen posts and no one has answered your question.

[Ol' Sparky]

The policies toward China and Cuba are most certainly inconsistent. But it's MNF and pandering to China that is wrong and counterproductive. Our government shouldn't be aiding totalitarian Communist regimes.

[toenail]

"Exactly, the Democrats aren't the only party without a moral compass."

And the Republican moral compass points to where, exactly? One-child China?

[afuturegovernor]

I have always supported a stronger stand against communist China. Bush has done a little to change the relationship with China. At least the US isn't selling nuclear secrets to China or renting out the Lincoln bedroom anymore like it did under Clinton.

And I still believe the Republican Party clearly holds the moral high ground over the Democrats and Libertarians. I don't believe in abortion, that child pornograph is free speech, or that the US should withdraw from world politics. If the US withdraws from the world, then the world's greatest bastion of freedom quites promoting freedom.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

I saw Prez. W the other day, passionately explaining the hyphenated Cubans in Miami how he won't tolerate any relaxation of the Cuban embargo unless Castro allows free elections, free worship, homosexual marriages and unfiltered Internet access in all Cuban public schools. I tried to imagine W making a similar speech but saying China. Or Pakistan. I'm sure he knows where the Chinese leaders' power is coming from. And I'm sure he didn't believe that the Paki strong man REALLY got 97% of the vote at the last referendum.

So... why Cuba? It couldn't possibly be politically motivated. If it were so, then the Prez passion would not be as genuine as it appeared to be while he addressed those Cubans in Fla.

He wouldn't 'fake' this stuff. Right? He REALLY believes that the Chinese deserve every single advantage they derive off commerce and other ties with us while the Cubans don't.

I don't know which is worst. He believing that the Chinese are good or significantly better than Castro or he playing a political game. Well, one of the two must be true, I just don't know which one.

[Havisham]

I'm in favor of the embargo but I noticed the Miami crowd was lukewarm to Bush's tired rhetoric and strained delivery. BTW, it's c**p that the U.S. embargo is what is holding back the Cuban economy --they have open trade with the rest of the world.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Another reason why I am proudly not a libertarian

Good. I'm sure the Republicrats enjoy taking your tax dollars to support their duopoly.