Obama Makes a Change I Can Believe In
By E M Barner | Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 | Policy
A quick thumbs up here to the Obama administration for loosening some restrictions on American/Cuban interaction. Especially with Fidel Castro having handed over the reigns of power to his brother, Raul, the time is right for a more engagement oriented Cuba policy.
Obama is taking only moderate first steps now. He hasn’t lifted the embargo but he has lifted restrictions on Cuban-Americans visiting family members on the island and sending money to their family members. With most Cubans living on the average state salary of $20 a month, those extra monies from the U.S. are an open door of goodwill and a hand up from extreme poverty. Also, Obama is going to allow U.S. telecommunications companies to explore business opportunities in Cuba. Again, this is a first step that could whet the Cuban people’s appetite for freedom. As difficult as it is to believe, Cubans are still not allowed to own cell phones. Change that and who knows what else could change.
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About the author
E M Barner, the blogger formerly known as DCH / De Civitate Hominis (“concerning the city of man”), writes from a Northern Virginia perspective. Barner has been active in Republican politics and policy since 1994 – as a grassroots volunteer, party leader, and professional.
Comments
3 Responses to "Obama Makes a Change I Can Believe In"
but he has lifted restrictions on Cuban-Americans visiting family members
What if there was a Euro-American or whites only policy on anything? Hmmm, oh wait, that’s right, Obama said it so it is ok
this is actually one of the few things I give obama a thumbs up on
Brian, this has nothing to do with race and everything to do with having relatives in the country. The policy doesn’t apply to latino peoples in general, it applies to Cuban-Americans regardless of race.
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