[America]

Just curious to see and read some predictions, as it always proves interesting to see what people have to say about the U.S.'s socialist neighbors. I personally think that the next ruler will start to move away from Communism/Socialism (whichever is more accurate in describing the Cuban government).

[Dennis Von Bremen]

I think it will stay the same... the vast majority of Cubans love the system they have now... why would it change? Unless all the Miami Cubans move in after Fidel's death and takeover...

[Degen83]

Deniz Baykal, on Nov 7 2007, 02:51 PM, said:

I think it will stay the same... the vast majority of Cubans love the system they have now... why would it change? Unless all the Miami Cubans move in after Fidel's death and takeover...

We tried that. It didn't work. "Bay of Pigs massacre", anyone?

The system will stay the same. Why change something that works and you love?

[Dennis Von Bremen]

Degen83, on Nov 7 2007, 04:53 PM, said:

We tried that. It didn't work. "Bay of Pigs massacre", anyone?

The system will stay the same. Why change something that works and you love?

Yeah exactly...

Well was that not the US who did the Bay of Pigs massacre? I mean if suddenly all the Cubans in Miami moved out of their homes and hopped on ships they have and sailed over guns in hand taking over... of course that would never happen/succeed but it would be pretty amazing/crazy if it did...

yeah your right the majority of Cubans love the system they have, why would they want to change it? They have a better life expectancy than all of Latin America, they have free healthcare, they have a steadily improving economy (due to tourism), they rarely loose any people when a hurricane hits and damages are quickly repaired (compare that to New Orleans).

[America]

I guarantee that the city of New Orleans has more infrastructure and complexity then that of the entire island of Cuba.

[Robert Davidson]

its kinda hard to say right now. i mean, sure the people love the government, but will they love it when the next leader steps in? how will he/she rule? for now, i will say that it will stay pretty much the same that it is now, but like i always say, nothing lasts forever (meaning that there might be a slim chance for something to happen).

[Daver]

America, on Nov 7 2007, 06:03 PM, said:

I guarantee that the city of New Orleans has more infrastructure and complexity then that of the entire island of Cuba.

Not anymore.

It will stay the same, but there will be a Cuban-Right invasion. It will be repelled as it was the last time and will have little support in America where there children and grandchildren are oddly (considering they've never lived in Cuba and have anti-Cuban parents) pro-Cuban Gov't.

[Kenadian_2006]

Think of China. His brother has already done a little liberalizing from what I know, and likely the only thing really holding him back is Fidel. Once he is completely in power and Fidel is dead, we'll see. But don't hold your breath for any dramatic change, atleast in terms of who rules.

[Nalka]

Why is everyone assuming that people in Cuba love the system? I'm not saying that its wrong, I just want some evidence.

[BartSimpson]

http://freethoughts....lthcare-part-i/

Here's the Cuban heathcare system for you.

Also, if the Cubans love their country and their system so much then why do they constantly risk their lives trying to get out? I don't see anyone making rafts out of 55gal steel barrels and then risking their lives to make it to Cuba. For that matter, I don't see any of the folks who are so deeply enamored of Castro and his dictatorship moving there from the USA. Who are the Hollywood leftists who've moved to Cuba to support the "revolucion"???? Hmmmm?????

Who?

Heck, name me anyone who has willingly moved to Cuba. Anyone.

[theblitz]

I think it will either be replaced by a pro-western "democratic" government immediately, or go in the direction China went after Mao, a slow adoption of capitalism.

[Nalka]

It just seems to me that people are assuming things here "they get all that free stuff, they must love it"

[Kenadian_2006]

Nalka, on Nov 7 2007, 07:09 PM, said:

It just seems to me that people are assuming things here "they get all that free stuff, they must love it"

Until they get thrown in jail for trying to form another political party.

[Comrade Mao]

BartSimpson, on Nov 7 2007, 07:04 PM, said:

http://freethoughts....lthcare-part-i/

Here's the Cuban heathcare system for you.

Also, if the Cubans love their country and their system so much then why do they constantly risk their lives trying to get out? I don't see anyone making rafts out of 55gal steel barrels and then risking their lives to make it to Cuba. For that matter, I don't see any of the folks who are so deeply enamored of Castro and his dictatorship moving there from the USA. Who are the Hollywood leftists who've moved to Cuba to support the "revolucion"???? Hmmmm?????

Who?

Heck, name me anyone who has willingly moved to Cuba. Anyone.

http://www.iammyownreporter.com/
http://www.freepeopl...cuba/index.html

Interesting sites. Perhaps not completely free of bias, but certainly not crippled by it.

[Matthijs]

It's more transparent than many people are making it out to be. Fidel jokingly referred to his sickness last year's summer as a "death rehearsal" to see if a succession will go smoothly. If Fidel is incapable of governing or retires before that, Raul will continue his duties in accordance to the constitution. He is getting on in age as well. There are several Cuban politicians, both young and old, who will be more than capable of carrying on the torch. Ricardo Alarcón, the president of parliament, is a favourite of mine. I also like the Foreign Minister, Felipe Pérez Roque, who is much younger.

You can read about possible successors for Fidel here.

BartSimpson: Philip Agee, http://www.spartacus....uk/JFKagee.htm A man with a very interesting story. I saw him speak one and a half weeks ago.

I wonder, have you ever talked to a Cuban? I interviewed one recently who told me some interesting stuff. As you know, the government provides healthcare to anybody free of charge. However, it is difficult to get certain medicines due to the US embargo of the country, which was recently condemned by every single UN country except the US itself, Israel and two Pacific island states. The embargo is so damaging because it not only prevents US companies from trading with Cuba, but it also sanctions companies that sell products with American components to Cuba. One can post nasty pictures all one wants, but the facts are clear: despite difficult conditions (poverty, embargo), Cuba has the lowest amount of persons per doctor in the region, the lowest infant mortality, etc. It would take extreme intellectual dishonesty to dismiss those figures in favour of a bunch of pictures and venomous writings from Miami.

The US government's stance taken to Cuban immigration is hypocritical. It does not allow them any legal channels of immigration: the Cuban government will let them leave if they really want them to (the Mariel Boatlift, which brought you Scarface, is a famous example), but the US won't let them in legally. Instead, there is the wet feet/dry feet policy: Cubans who make it to the shore with their rafts can pursue citizenship. A Mexican trying to escape from the poverty and politics of his country would likely be rounded up instead of being hailed as a refugee from tyranny.

Nalka: I'm not sure if there are any opinion polls on this. However, the recent municipal elections had a turnout of 95%. The active participation of the people in politics is quite different from the partisanship, commercial interests and voter apathy that dominate western politics. A misconception about Cuban elections is that only the Communist Party is allowed to run. In fact, it is not even allowed to put candidates forward; they have to be picked from the bottom up. So what do you think of the US government campaigns "promoting democracy" in Cuba when this grassroots system is already in place? Even if you disagree with it, what do you think of the fact that millions of dollars of your tax money go to these initiatives?

[Red Dragon]

Kenadian_2006, on Nov 8 2007, 12:10 AM, said:

Until they get thrown in jail for trying to form another political party.

political parties don't run in Cuba. the communist party is simply an organization of good citicens who are granted membership. anyone can run in a Cuban election (yes they do have elections) just no parties.

[Kenadian_2006]

Red_Dragon, on Nov 7 2007, 07:53 PM, said:

political parties don't run in Cuba. the communist party is simply an organization of good citicens who are granted membership. anyone can run in a Cuban election (yes they do have elections) just no parties.

It's illegal to form another political party in Cuba, punishible by jail time in those lovely Cuban prisons for political dissidents. You can argue all you want that the communists in Cuba have done some good for their country through healthcare or education (they're probably better off than under someone like Batista) but that does not excuse their repression. Not in the slightest does it do so. Pinochet was great for economic right wingers and actually benefited Chile greatly economically. Thousands of people still died under him, he deserves to rot in hell, as does Castro.

[Red Dragon]

Quote

No party is permitted to campaign or endorse candidates for election, including the Communist party. Candidates are elected on an individual referendum basis without formal party involvement,

http://en.wikipedia....parties_in_Cuba

to campaign on a party basis is illegal for every party.

Quote

The Communist party remains the only recognised political party in Cuba. Other parties, though not now illegal, are unable to campaign or conduct any activities on the island that could be deemed "Counter-revolutionary".

http://en.wikipedia....t_Party_of_Cuba



"free" nations have banned political parties as well, namely the communist party of canada to name one.

Quote

In 1931, eight of the CPC's leaders were arrested and imprisoned under Section 98 of Canada's Criminal Code. The party continued to exist, but was under the constant threat of legal harassment, and was for all intents and purposes an underground organization until 1936.

Although the party was banned, affiliated groups such as the Workers' Unity League, the Relief Camp Workers' Union, and the National Unemployed Workers Association played a significant role in organizing the unskilled and the unemployed in protest marches and demonstrations and campaigns such as the "On-to-Ottawa Trek". Party members were also active in the Congress of Industrial Organizations attempt to unionize the auto sector.

http://en.wikipedia....ion_of_factions

[Fistandantilus]

Degen83, on Nov 7 2007, 04:53 PM, said:

We tried that. It didn't work. "Bay of Pigs massacre", anyone?

The system will stay the same. Why change something that works and you love?

Exactly, and I dont see a problem with cubia being the way it is if eveyones happy with it.

[Dennis Von Bremen]

Kenadian_2006, on Nov 7 2007, 06:58 PM, said:

It's illegal to form another political party in Cuba, punishible by jail time in those lovely Cuban prisons for political dissidents. You can argue all you want that the communists in Cuba have done some good for their country through healthcare or education (they're probably better off than under someone like Batista) but that does not excuse their repression. Not in the slightest does it do so. Pinochet was great for economic right wingers and actually benefited Chile greatly economically. Thousands of people still died under him, he deserves to rot in hell, as does Castro.

Well while Castro may not be a saint, I would not say he is nearly as oppressive as Pinochet... that guy killed folk musicians because they were singing songs of peace... wtf?