The Trade Embargo With Cuba Should Be Lifted

First off, I don't think it's fair to compare Iraq and Cuba. They have similar political structures yes, but besides that, they have virtually nothing in common. The scenario you described in paragraph four about Castro's wealth is invalid. From the time he was paid by the USSR until present day, the embargo has been in place. Castro's wealth is protected by the embargo. If we allow free trade, Castro's days of corruption and oppression are drastically reduced. Also, you say the embargo is slowly working. It has been in effect for 40 years! That is a very long time to cut of political and economic ties to one nation; especially one as innocent as Cuba. I think it's only fair to try a new strategy. Introducing Cuba to American business is the most logical policy (I will admit, during the 60s, an embargo was not such a far fetched idea, but it has gone too far). Look, as long as we keep the system the way it is, no change will come to Cuba. Like you said, there are others under Castro that will take his place. They will most likely rule with the same iron fist as he did. That is why we must change something. Both Americans and (civilian) Cubans have nothing to loose. Why not? When a policy doesn't work, isn't it just common sense to implement a new strategy? And now, to specifically refute your arguments: While Americans cannot legally visit Cuba, it happens all the time. Just last year, Michael Moore made a film where he spends a week or two in Cuba without consent from American officials. Even several teachers at my high school have been there many times. It's not a big deal to visit and many do. Tax law violations would not be a problem if an organized aproach was taken when introducing free trade to Cuba. If a concrete plan is implemented, and is enforced, this will not be a problem. Like I said before, the embargo has not weakened the dictatorship. If it had, we would have seen some change over the 40 years the embargo has been in place. But even if it had weakened, the Cuban people have seen from thier own history what happens when you revolt: things just get worse. A revolution would just bring about unneccessary violence and choas. All of this can be avoided if we lift the embargo. "...the communist policies that haven't changed so we must maintain our stubbornness with the embargo." Don't you see what's wrong with this statement? They haven't changed BECAUSE we have the embargo. Removing it will change the Cuban people for the better. Introducing free trade will greatly reduce Castro's power and control. It's not like Castro will usurp all profits made from American exports. He couldn't do that if he wanted too. So, according to your last paragraph, America should only trade with countries that exploit their workers, unless we have citizens in the country? Don't we have Chinese citizens? Besides, who said anything about taking advantage of Cubans? What's wrong with trading with countries that don't violate basic human rights? Maybe Cuba won't get you 500% profit like China, but Cuba should be given a chance. Why are we rewarding China's deplorable working conditions, but turn our backs to an innocent nation? The only reason why I have cell phones and computers from China, is because I really don't have a choice. It is extremely difficult to find anything non-Chinese. But if I ever have a choice between an American made product, or a Chinese (or basically all South East Asian countries), I will go American, because I do not support human rights violations, no matter how large the profit.