The Trade Embargo With Cuba Should Be Lifted

To set the background for my reasoning behind one aspect of the answer in the affirmative would be to use the sanction/embargo policy setup in Iraq during Saddam Hussein's period of rule as a parallel. Pro has been promoting the idea that the USA should rescind their policy of embargo on Cuba for the good of the Cuban people. I will show you that whether there is an embargo or not, the unfortunate situation of Cuba's people will only change, when Castro and his minions are out of power or they change their policies. For example, BEFORE the sanctions were imposed on Iraq, millions of Iraqi citizens were paying a massive economic and humanitarian price under Saddam's brutal dictatorship, not to mention all the while, he was building billion dollar palaces throughout Iraq. Furthermore, AFTER the sanctions were imposed, millions of Iraqi citizens were paying a massive economic and humanitarian cost under his brutal dictatorship, not to mention all the while, he continued building billion dollar palaces throughout Iraq. However this time, instead of continued international outrage toward Saddam and his domestic policies, the outrage was pointed at the coalition of states supporting the sanctions, especially the USA. The sanctions in the short term did not change Saddam Hussein's lifestyle very much, but in the long run, weakened his ability to rule domestically and for the most part allowed the coalition to easily achieve their initial goals in both wars because of his lack of support at home. OK, now on to Cuba. Many people are presently blaming the USA, and its Cuban embargo policies, for all of the social ills and economic hardships that the Cuban people are experiencing. In a similar situation as mentioned above with Iraq, when Castro was receiving his annual welfare check from the motherland (the former USSR), in the amount of $4.5 billion per year, his people continued to suffer as before, all the while, he continued to live a life of extreme luxury. Fast forward to the present, the Soviet Union no longer exists and Fidel's dole cheque is non-existent, BUT Fidel still lives a life of luxury, all the while his people go without. The embargo is slowly working, it shows the Cuban people that the USA will stand behind its threats (ie. embargo) toward their dictator and gives them the assurance that we will at least stand firm this time, no matter what it takes. Until the Cuban government allows the people the economic and political reforms they deserve, the embargo should stand. Now on to Refute your last post specifically: The reason we need to keep the embargo intact because the people in power in Cuba run deeper than Castro. What I mean is that many of government officials are corrupt and pro Communist because they make a lot of money exploiting the citizens. Americans are not able to vacation in Cuba. Cuba is not open for American investment. This is actually a good thing because if we open Cuba up this investors would be free of America tax laws and create a monopoly that would effect Cuban citizens negatively. People are repressed but can upheaval/resist. It is possible for citizens of Communism to revolt. Big brother America doesn't always have to help. We put the embargo on to weaken the dictatorship now it is up to the citizens to revolt and overthrow. However, they do not do this they just come to FL illegally and we gave them amnesty in the past. Look at the nations that broke away from the old Soviet Union. The Cubans can do this we would help end of story. Cuba has the lowest GDP in the western hemisphere because of the communist policies that haven't changed so we must maintain our stubbornness with the embargo. Lifting the embargo, Cuba would receive substantial money that would refuel the regime and make their rule even more repressive by controlling this new money flow. Opening up trade with this nation wouldn't benefit the citizens like you claim would because that's not how Communism works. China isn't fully communist. They have a free market economy. We get cheap labor and products so America makes cash from china. If Cuba had this to offer we would trade but since we have a decent Cuban population in America, the American people would not be in favor of taking advantage of Cuban workers. Since we are so use to Chinese benefits we look the other way. If you are so against this you shouldn't wear the clothes you have or your cell or everything basically. So that's why we support china they are progressive enough for us.