Resolved: That the United States Should Normalize Relations With Cuba

We stand Resolved: That the United States should normalize relations with Cuba. It is because the U.S. embargo is the main strain on relations between the two countries that Chris and I see the lifting of this strict trade and travel ban as the best way to normalize relations. Contention 1: Lifting the embargo would bring about substantial economic gains for both the United States. Using the most sophisticated and widely used economic impact assessment tool currently available, the REMI, Florida State University was able to project exactly how much the U.S. stands to gain from normalizing relations with Cuba. "Normalization of trade between the U.S. and Cuba will result in the creation of 846 thousand jobs in the U.S. economy" as well as a "$127 billion increase in the U.S. GDP." As stated by the Cuban Policy Foundation, these jobs create an "economic multiplier effect" across the entire U.S. economy, because as more people get jobs and thus salaries, they are able to pump money throughout the economy and spur economic growth even further. With the creation of so many new jobs as a result of the increased revenue to U.S. companies, it is evident that normalization of relations between the U.S. and Cuba is necessary for the well-being of the U.S. economy. Contention 2: Normalizing relations with Cuba would allow for millions of Cubans to receive much needed assistance in recovering from natural disasters. According to U.S.-Cuba Policy Initiative, "[In 2008], Cuba sustained damage from four named storms. 444 thousand homes in Cuba are currently damaged, [and] 2.2 million Cubans are living dangerously. Food supplies on the island are nearly exhausted, [and] crops and livestock are devastated. Hospitals and clinics have suffered extensive damage. With at least $5 billion in damage done to a nation where the average monthly salary is $17, the economy will not be able to support the Cuban population. As the majority of Cubans become malnourished, the political situation is likely to become much more volatile." The Center for International Policy explains, "Should the situation deteriorate further, riots might snowball beyond control. With weapons enough to arm a militia force over 1.5 million strong already distributed among the population, a civil war would be appallingly bloody and destructive." This likely civil war would kill hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Cubans. The US has the ability to prevent this purposeless loss of life by lifting the embargo. According to The Guardian, "U.S. trade sanctions [are] the biggest obstacle to Cuba's recovery [from hurricane damage]." The Sun Sentinel explains why, saying, "The trade embargo [is] preventing [Cuba] from buying construction and other supplies directly from America, and preventing purchases of any U.S. goods on credit." It is neither practical nor possible for Cuba to receive sufficient repair supplies from across the entirety of the Atlantic Ocean, because the distance would skyrocket costs and be even more impractical for the impoverished Cuban people. By normalizing relations, we allow the Cubans to begin repairing their destroyed nation. Contention 3: Normalizing relations would bring immense medical benefits to the United States. Yale University's Global Research Center contextualizes Cuba's medical strength; "MENTION Cuba and most people think of cigars, rum and Che Guevara. They probably don't associate it with cutting edge medical research. Yet Cuban biotechnology is now leading the way in the development of a new generation of anti-cancer therapies." However, as explained by the Common Dreams Institute, "Because of the blockade regulations it has been impossible to begin clinical trials in the U.S. with TheraCIM, a Cuban pharmaceutical for treating brain tumours. This medication is registered for treating cancer and has been clinically proven to reduce tumour mass." At the point where the Oncology Research Center estimates there are over 117,000 NEW brain cancer cases every year, the need for this cancer medication could not be more dire. Benefits from Cuban medicine extend past cancer treatments, though. The Common Dreams Institute also states that "if not for the embargo, the 20.8 million people in the United States suffering from diabetes could benefit from Citoprot P, a unique product that heals diabetic ulcers, reducing the risk of lower extremity amputations." It is because my partner and I stand for the increased health American citizens, the advancement of the American economy, and the repair of a battered Cuban society, that we urge a PRO ballot.