Posted on 07/28/2005 7:24:27 PM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection
Cubans yesterday ended a three-day holiday marking the rebellion that culminated in the 1959 revolution with hardly any of the public fanfare or mass celebrations of previous years. The subdued atmosphere reflected a widespread malaise in the Communist nation, fed by rising prices and 12-hour power blackouts during a steamy summer.
The few pro-democracy dissidents willing to demonstrate were harassed by government supporters and detained by authorities last week.
In the face of food shortages, low wages, dilapidated housing, and persistent power cuts, exasperation with penurious living conditions is at its highest levels since Cuba suffered an economic shock from the loss of Soviet subsidies in the early 1990s, according to residents.
But critics, from nervous average citizens to outspoken activists, cautioned that pervasive discontent does not mean Cubans have any plans to rise up against the government of Castro. That is not just for fear of harsh punishment, but also because a good many Cubans still believe Castro means well yet is hampered by ideological enemies abroad and incompetent lackeys at home.
The irony, say many who are as annoyed with the U.S. as they are with their own government, is that average Cubans are suffering the effects of further restrictions of the US trade embargo imposed by President Bush a year ago, while the intended target, Castro retains an unchallenged grip on power.
Clad in his trademark olive fatigues, the 78-year-old leader addressed Communist Party faithful Tuesday night for nearly four hours, blaming his country's hardships on the US blockade imposed in 1962. Yet he asserted that the economy has grown 7.3% in the first half of the year. The World Bank calculated economic growth at 1.1% in 2002, the latest year for which it provides data.
Castro delivered his annual state-of-the-union-style address in a low-key gathering inside....
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
It's Bush's fault.
I don't think they have any vegetable oil in Cuba. Of course, since Havana Jane is a tourist, they can probably get her an unlimited supply. IF she pays with US dollars, of course.
Viva la Revolution!
It's for the Poor & the Cheldrun don't you know.
The Dems should love to move there,
to the worker's paradise.
Free education, free health care, socialism at it's best!
If only they would.
The thing that no one wants to talk about is the fact that the ex-patriot Cubans living and working in the US are the only things standing in the way of Cuba’s complete and total economic collapse.
These loyal family members send dollars to their family members still stranded in Cuba. It is these dollars that fund Cuba’s economy, both white and black. Should the flow of these dollars stop, for even a short period, the Cuba economy would collapse so hard you could feel it all the way to Washington - state that is.
As for who will replace Castro? That is the biggest question. In the last 50 odd years he has removed (aka killed) anyone who was a threat to his personal power; not once but many many times. There is no one to replace him nor any one in Cuba with the skills to start a new track. Nor will the Cubanos living in Cuba accept an ex-patriot from the States.
Cuba after Castro will be the basis of many doctorial theses in political science and economics. And like most of these theses they will be totally wrong.
Fidel, one of these days the Peons are going to figure out that you still put your pants on, one leg at a time, and that you still need to wipe your hiney, if you don't want to itch, and then, said Peons will reduce you to basic components, fit only for fertilizing tomatos.
JFK already ruined Cuba's try at regaining freedom, no administration since has made any sincere effort, this one won't allow it to be tried again by Cuban expatriates.
So Cuba will have to implode from within before they can improve.
Cuba, probably one of the few dirtpads on the face of the earth that doesn't have a mosque on it... Yet.
Bump!
Maybe Jimmah Peanutbrain and his lovely other half, ROZ-lynn, can go down and give their good friend, Fidel, a hand by building some shacks. Or maybe they could make some PB&J's to pass out with their very own peanut butter! Ol' Jimmah should have some of that Nobel Peace Prize money left to dole out, too!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.