Posted on 05/21/2002 12:19:30 PM PDT by tdadams
Continuing embargo on Cuba does more harm to American freedom than to Castro, Libertarians say
WASHINGTON, DC -- By continuing to support the U.S. embargo on Cuba, President Bush is undermining the freedom of the American people, Libertarians say.
"The U.S. government has no business ordering Americans not to trade with or travel to Cuba or any other nation," said LP Executive Director Steve Dasbach. "By stubbornly refusing to repeal this failed, 40-year- old law, Bush is punishing the American people for the crimes of Fidel Castro."
In an appearance in Miami's "Little Havana" on Monday, Bush called for democratic reforms in Cuba and reaffirmed U.S. support for the trade embargo imposed on dictator Fidel Castro in 1962.
But by focusing on removing Castro from power, Bush has ignored the fact that the embargo is undermining two fundamental American freedoms, Libertarians say: the freedom to trade and the freedom to travel. Federal law imposing sanctions on Cuba makes it illegal for U.S. firms to trade directly with that nation, and travel restrictions created in 1963 impose fines of up to $50,000 on Americans who are caught traveling there.
"The trade ban violates the economic freedom of every American," Dasbach said. "Individuals and businesses in a free country should be able to buy and sell goods freely to whomever they like, without getting government approval.
"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. Why should American businesses and consumers be punished because Cuba is a communist state?
"And why should American workers be deprived of jobs simply because their government has singled out one particular tyrant for punishment? After all, the United States trades with or gives foreign aid to other dictatorial states like Jordan, Egypt, and China.
"The Cuban embargo has, in effect, created a list of 'government- approved dictators,' like those in Jordan, Egypt, and China, and 'unapproved dictators' like Fidel Castro," he said. "U.S. politicians should abolish this arbitrary list and let American people and businesses decide for themselves which governments should be punished with a trade cutoff.
"The travel ban is reminiscent of authoritarian regimes like the former Soviet Union, East Germany, and yes, Cuba," Dasbach said. "The freedom to come and go as you please is a fundamental human right. Politicians have no business ordering Americans not to visit 'unapproved' countries, then fining and interrogating them when they return."
And the travel ban is enforced, Dasbach noted. The Treasury Department estimates that 50,000 Americans visit Cuba illegally every year, and an estimated 800 are prosecuted.
One example: Two years ago, Marilyn Meister, a retired, 73-year-old Wisconsin school teacher, went on a Canadian-organized bicycle trip to Cuba. When she returned, she told The Washington Post, she was confronted by a U.S. Customs agent who "flew into a rage and made me feel like the most horrible of criminals." Meister was charged with violating the travel ban and ordered to pay a $7,500 fine.
"What kind of government feels threatened by a 73-year-old school teacher riding a bicycle in Cuba?" Dasbach asked. "Ours does. But when government bureaucrats have the power to berate ordinary Americans for going on vacation - then extort an exorbitant fine - it's time to repeal that law."
That's why the U.S. embargo on Cuba must be eliminated, Dasbach said.
"If Bush really wants to send a pro-liberty message to Fidel Castro, he can do it by ending the embargo on American freedom."
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.
I thought I smelled something in the air. Oh well, blame it on the dog.
I think it does.
ML/NJ
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
You don't buy any products made in China either?
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.
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.
Exactly, the Democrats aren't the only party without a moral compass.
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
Almost a dozen posts and no one has answered your question.
And the Republican moral compass points to where, exactly? One-child China?
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.
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.
Good. I'm sure the Republicrats enjoy taking your tax dollars to support their duopoly.
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