Cuba's Regime is changing and you're in charge

[Ryan]

What would you do?

Here's something I was thinking about. This question that went around a lunch table in Cuba a few years ago.

The Castros decide to call it a day. They're going to step down in 1 year and you're in charge.

What would you do? That would be the first things to do? What plans would you put in place? What would you do to bring Cuba into the First World? What could be done to ensure every Cuban gets a fair shot?

What are the objectives, 1 year, 5 year and 10 year plans.

I have my own thoughts but I'd like to hear those of others first.

[LordAnubis]

This goes for any third country, not cuba specifically.

- Get rid of all the corrupt politicians, publicly.

- Keep the US embargo, but open up better relations whit Canada, China, japan and russia for importation of goods and services

- Allow locals to do everythigin the country, ie buy from any place.

- Make cuba a holiday destination with a dominant focus on "medi vacatation" for people to travel to for small operations and dental services etc.

- Fund a lot of medical research and make cuba world leader in medicine research, training and industry practises.

- Fund renewable energy projects to provide energy for all population.

- Open up aid to all surrounding countries.

[El Guero]

I would let Lord Anubis in the country!

[santela]

It's easier said than done, but China had set a great example for economic reforms.

[Mckucci]

Nothing, I'd line my pockets and keep things the way they are... Dictatorship "you will do as you are told"

[TiminBC]

Until the US drops the embargo I would not want that job.

[Hash]

I will let the people rule and take resposibilities for their actions and decisions instead of always blaming others for short falls. Corruption from the elite to the masses.

[CaptainQuintero]

I think the farmers and tobacco workers need to have a big input in running the country or with how the nation's economy is set out.

Historically they played a big part politically, it seems that the future has to encompass them again

[JohnnyO]

Right now Cuba is Russia with palm trees. Added, they don't have many natural power sources (rivers). The timely releases that they have found oil is a smokescreen for oil shipments out of Venezuela that are being distributed in the area at subsidized prices. Because of the embargo, Cuba has not been able to exploit one of their largest resources: tropical fruits and vegetables that could be exported in large scale to the US. Commercial fishing could be a great economic source, providing the locals could participate and the rights aren't sold to China. Sugar would be back in popularity as the rum trade to the US would be another source of exports. But in the end you'll see a Walmart, Hooters, TGI Fridays and McDonalds every 10 miles and they'll mess it up like they did Cancun and any other place they could. BTW, there is already a Walmart and McDolnalds in the US base in Guantanamo. John

[Puros Y Vino]

  On 11/17/2014 at 6:40 PM, JohnnyO said:

Right now Cuba is Russia with palm trees. Added, they don't have many natural power sources (rivers). The timely releases that they have found oil is a smokescreen for oil shipments out of Venezuela that are being distributed in the area at subsidized prices. Because of the embargo, Cuba has not been able to exploit one of their largest resources: tropical fruits and vegetables that could be exported in large scale to the US. Commercial fishing could be a great economic source, providing the locals could participate and the rights aren't sold to China. Sugar would be back in popularity as the rum trade to the US would be another source of exports. But in the end you'll see a Walmart, Hooters, TGI Fridays and McDonalds every 10 miles and they'll mess it up like they did Cancun and any other place they could. BTW, there is already a Walmart and McDolnalds in the US base in Guantanamo. John

I think you've hit on the fears that most people have should Cuba "change back". While it's current setup is not ideal for it's inhabitants, the country would not be the same if corporate American stalwarts took hold. What you find in Cuba now is authentic IMO. I'd hate to see all my favourite restaurants fall by the wayside over to franchises. I'd hate to see "no smoking" signs everywhere. Your comparison to Cancun is spot on. I cannot stand the main strip area there. So much so that we vacation further away down the Mayan Riviera, Huatulco or Manzanillo. I don't travel to Mexico to eat at Johnny Rockets.

I think Cuba would also need it's own version of "truth and reconciliation commission" as it has seen many ideological tug of wars this century. I'm no expert on Cuba but many of the people I've met there have an entrepreneurial spirit that can surely benefit society overall. The resourcefulness of the populace in a place where this is a lack of resources is inspiring. There is some seriously good unlocked potential in the country.

[rodrigodeanda]

  On 11/17/2014 at 6:40 PM, JohnnyO said:

But in the end you'll see a Walmart, Hooters, TGI Fridays and McDonalds every 10 miles and they'll mess it up like they did Cancun and any other place they could.

Damn! I'm a mexican and I don't Cancun at all because of this! I think is a beautiful place, visually stunning and I just wish is wasn't so americanized, we mexicans nearly see Cancun as an extended american territory, don't get me wrong; I really like america but I feel outta place when I'm in cancun.

[Jeremy Festa]

Borrow 500 billion dollars, from Europe.

1 year:- plan stuff, while keeping things trad!

5 years:- look to have a noticeable increase in the standard of living!

10 years:- be open to the US and be totally killing it!

[cigcars]

First I'd allow all entrepreneurial souls there to "do their thing", have full access to selling their wares, and just meeting government standards of safety and sanitary quality of their goods.

Second, I'd have a reasonably liberal policy on other "drugs of choice" besides tobacco and liquors so as not to have too high a prison population. That, and the immediate release of some political prisoners and shortening of some prison sentences.

Third, I'd like to THINK I'd welcome "some dissenters" with my governing and political policies to come to "my palace" and discuss their concerns so as not to fester the seeds that cause the friction (and terrorisms) that plague so many locales in the world. Usually, there's been reasonable ease of fellowship between governed and governor when the governed were met at least half-way.

Taxes. Taxes? Yeah, they'd be a strained necessity, but once again in my humble fantasy-land, they'd be kept within reasonable bounds.

I'd DEFINITELY KEEP the free health care and education system that's in place there now.

[Geaux]

  On 11/19/2014 at 5:57 AM, cigcars said:

I'd DEFINITELY KEEP the free health care and education system that's in place there now.

FREE? Free Health Care system.... Free education system.... smh. How is anything free? I don't usually get into political debate, but this one kills me. There are no free anythings in life. If you don't pay, somebody else has to...

The only thing that we should ever try to keep free is the market. And then the people vote for the best businesses with their wallets - which leads to better products and pricing.

[dowjr1]

  On 11/19/2014 at 7:03 PM, Geaux said:

FREE? Free Health Care system.... Free education system.... smh. How is anything free? I don't usually get into political debate, but this one kills me. There are no free anythings in life. If you don't pay, somebody else has to...

The only thing that we should ever try to keep free is the market. And then the people vote for the best businesses with their wallets - which leads to better products and pricing.

Wow! What a great post...could not agree more.

[...]

  On 11/19/2014 at 7:24 PM, dowjr1 said:

Wow! What a great post...could not agree more.

Indeed.... Walmart is currently full of these 'better products' I keep hearing about

Like with any other complex issue, any simplistic solution to it is bound to sound extremely foolish and uneducated. Of course, kidding ourselves is plain funny

[PuffDaddie]

Freedom is the best chose but will take time.

[leftimatic]

  On 11/17/2014 at 7:16 PM, bundwallah said:

I think you've hit on the fears that most people have should Cuba "change back". While it's current setup is not ideal for it's inhabitants, the country would not be the same if corporate American stalwarts took hold. What you find in Cuba now is authentic IMO. I'd hate to see all my favourite restaurants fall by the wayside over to franchises. I'd hate to see "no smoking" signs everywhere. Your comparison to Cancun is spot on. I cannot stand the main strip area there. So much so that we vacation further away down the Mayan Riviera, Huatulco or Manzanillo. I don't travel to Mexico to eat at Johnny Rockets.

I think Cuba would also need it's own version of "truth and reconciliation commission" as it has seen many ideological tug of wars this century. I'm no expert on Cuba but many of the people I've met there have an entrepreneurial spirit that can surely benefit society overall. The resourcefulness of the populace in a place where this is a lack of resources is inspiring. There is some seriously good unlocked potential in the country.

I agree. The one and only time I went to Cuba, the resourcefulness that I saw was nothing short of inspiring. It made me fall in love with the place. People told me to watch out the food was terrible. I found the only crummy food was when they tried to make pasta. But you have to respect anyone who does the best they can with what they have.

I looked it up and Cuba is a world leader right now in organic farming due to a lack of oil for making pesticides. Tobacco production included. So feel free knowing that what you smoke is as organic as the industry gets. I think it may be the cause of such a crummy few years in cigars. They were just getting their stride and evolving all the while still keeping up with the demand. It may very well only get better. The world should take a look at Cuba and see how far ahead they really are. In both agriculture and medical.

The only thing I would change is bring back discontinued vitolas. Anything to make Ray happy again.

[cigcars]

I was talking about how individual citizens don't have to pay out of pocket for their healthcare and education in Cuba, that would go right back to what I was addressing as far as taxes that would be used not just for the standards most places use it for; police, fire departments, sanitation...and WHY NOT HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION included??? I truly can't understand why people's being able to know they are covered in case of illness or injury should be a reason for controversy.

[leftimatic]

  On 11/20/2014 at 6:05 AM, cigcars said:

I was talking about how individual citizens don't have to pay out of pocket for their healthcare and education in Cuba, that would go right back to what I was addressing as far as taxes that would be used not just for the standards most places use it for; police, fire departments, sanitation...and WHY NOT HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION included??? I truly can't understand why people's being able to know they are covered in case of illness or injury should be a reason for controversy.

I agree. I quite like the medical system we have in BC Canada. So much a month and 'everything is covered. Two pregnancies, including the visits, ultrasounds, the check ups, and all the x-rays we could handle for next to nothing. Watching both my parents with long term illnesses and leaving us without the kids having to remortgage our houses to pay for it. If you make less than a certain amount you don't pay. Its been working for a long time. And I can't see how anyone could argue with free equal opportunity education. Knowledge is power plain and simple, and only giving the rich the chance to exercise it is asinine and very short sighted.