Yes, it was very informative, thanks.

Something that really interests me is why the Cuban economy is doing so
badly. Is it soley because of the embargo, or are there other internal
reasons for this.  What is the standard of living like in Cuba?

Also, how efficient is the political process?  Is there still pandering to
interest groups in the economy (such as farmers, industrial workers, etc)?
Or does the government rule with an even hand?

thanks,

steve

On Wed, 18 Mar 1998, Prplerain wrote:

> I was also in Cuba last summer and I am very much in agreement with the author
> of that post.  The most striking thing about the political system in Cuba is
> how much it truly represents the people.  Unlike this country, political
> representation doesn't hinge on how much wealth/power you have.  A simple
> farmer who lives out in the countryside has as much say as anyone else.
> Although it sounds very repressive to only have one political party, the truth
> is that the spectrum of ideologies represented is far greater than it is in
> this country, partially because the candidates don't have to worry about
> offending some members of their party the way Democrats and Republicans do
> here.  When I was in Cuba I actually went out of my way to try to find people
> who were discontent with the political system or felt they were politically
> oppressed.  I had the same experience as the author of the posting; I spoke to
> several people who were unhappy about the state of Cuba's economy and wanted
> to leave for economic reasons, but when you asked them about the actual
> political system, they seem very satisfied with it.  As for those who wanted
> to emigrate to America, I was quick to remind them that even though they may
> feel america is a land of opportunity and it would be easy to make it
> here,they shouldn't underestimate how wonderful it is to have the government
> provide you housing(there are virtually no homeless people in Cuba), health
> care, and education.  It's a trade off really.  You have more than 2 pairs of
> pants and your food isn't rationed, but at the same time when I think of how
> much I have spent on medical bills and college tuition, it blows my mind.  As
> for the communist party I think the author explained it very well, it is more
> of a moral organization than a political party.  To be involved in the party
> is a sign of your patriotism and revolutionary spirit.  My only complaint
> about the communist party is that they still don't accept openly gay members.
> Cuba isn't generally very homophobic, they tend to just look the other way,
> with the exception of the rule about the communist party.  However when I
> asked an openly gay man about the punishment for gay bashers in Cuba, he just
> gave me a puzzled look and said "that kind of thing doesn't happen here."
> Sorry this post was so long, I just got started and I couldn't stop.  Hope it
> was somewhat informative.
>