It's not surprising that well-educated Cubans clamor for jobs as cab drivers, bartenders and hotel maids. One cab driver left his job as a military jet pilot. Eating is better. The dollar economy is changing the way Cubans think. When hard currency is freely exchanged for goods and services, it's tough to ignore the connections.
Hard work equals more money equals better goods equals a better life.
These capitalist constructs, which Americans embrace as inalienable rights, are considered counterrevolutionary here. Yet as Americans' feet continue touching Cuban soil, these ideas are slowly taking root. If, as our official policy claims, we really want to encourage open economies and a peaceful transition to a stable, democratic form of government, the most direct route isn't through embargoes or other punitive actions, but through increasing Cubans' exposure to Americans and Western values. Castro would hate it. JWR contributor Kathleen Parker can be reached by clicking here.