Comments on: Micro-enterprise in Cuba http://www.radioopensource.org/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/ Christopher Lydon in conversation on arts, ideas and politics Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:09:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Holly http://www.radioopensource.org/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65266 Holly Wed, 24 Aug 2005 06:34:18 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/2005/08/01/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65266 Hello! I just wanted to thank you for a great program on Cuba last night. It was one of the most honest portraits of Cuba that I have heard in the past few years. Anyone interested in this topic should read "Cuba Diaries: An American Housewife in Havana" by Isadora Tattlin. In response to the previous comment, the US embargo is NOT the only reason why Cuba has economic problems. The Castro government won't allow legal free enterprise on the island, nor has it allowed for development of infrastructure or production techniques. The regime puts limits on agricultural production and huge taxes on paladares and other "enterprises". There is also a huge amount of foreign investment and trade with other countries. Most people don't know about or want to admit this. Why do people always blame the US embargo for all of Cuba's woes when there are many other countries that Cuba does business with? Does Cuba's economic survival depend solely on the US? Moreover, the Castro revolution was in part a reaction to the huge economic control that the US had over Cuba in the 50s. When he took control of the island, he nationalized most foreign property and kicked foreign companies out; why would he want the US there now? The US is his biggest enemy; he smears the US for most of his propoganda; I highly doubt he would want the US in Cuba now either. In response to Lynette's comments: there are probably more people leaving other Central American countries because they CAN leave. People can also leave Cuba, but it is very difficult. They have to ask for permits that can take years to receive (if they even receive them). If people leave legally and then stay (quedarse) in the country where they go to, their families who stay behind in Cuba can be punished (they can have their property and business permits taken away). The idea of a "free education" is also a funny one. Do you know what people are taught in Cuba? Do you know what principles and theories are taught and not taught in their schools? Are there enough materials for all the students? I also find the idea of it being "free", meaning "no charge" funny; Cubans are paid pennies by the state (as we heard various times on the program) for the work they do. The money they would receive for the work they do in any other country is given to the state which is then put into the education and healthcare systems. So, no, it's not exactly free. They pay into the system with the work they do; just like we do here in the US with our tax system. In response to Karen's comment; I also have friends who have been to Cuba on work related trips and would disagree with you on many of your points. Although there may be a few positive things about the regime's policies, the negative ones outweigh any positives. Whenever there is a lack of freedom to the extent that one has to be careful of being ratted on by his own neighbors (the CDR), how many postives can there be? In a country where the same person has ruled with an iron fist for 46 years and where an opposition party is not allowed, how many positives can there be? No matter what one's politics are, there are just some things that can never be justified. Anyway, I wanted to commend you for your program and instead rambled on! Thanks again. As I say, it was the most honesty portrait I've heard lately! Hello! I just wanted to thank you for a great program on Cuba last night. It was one of the most honest portraits of Cuba that I have heard in the past few years. Anyone interested in this topic should read “Cuba Diaries: An American Housewife in Havana” by Isadora Tattlin.

In response to the previous comment, the US embargo is NOT the only reason why Cuba has economic problems. The Castro government won’t allow legal free enterprise on the island, nor has it allowed for development of infrastructure or production techniques. The regime puts limits on agricultural production and huge taxes on paladares and other “enterprises”. There is also a huge amount of foreign investment and trade with other countries. Most people don’t know about or want to admit this. Why do people always blame the US embargo for all of Cuba’s woes when there are many other countries that Cuba does business with? Does Cuba’s economic survival depend solely on the US?

Moreover, the Castro revolution was in part a reaction to the huge economic control that the US had over Cuba in the 50s. When he took control of the island, he nationalized most foreign property and kicked foreign companies out; why would he want the US there now? The US is his biggest enemy; he smears the US for most of his propoganda; I highly doubt he would want the US in Cuba now either.

In response to Lynette’s comments: there are probably more people leaving other Central American countries because they CAN leave. People can also leave Cuba, but it is very difficult. They have to ask for permits that can take years to receive (if they even receive them). If people leave legally and then stay (quedarse) in the country where they go to, their families who stay behind in Cuba can be punished (they can have their property and business permits taken away).

The idea of a “free education” is also a funny one. Do you know what people are taught in Cuba? Do you know what principles and theories are taught and not taught in their schools? Are there enough materials for all the students? I also find the idea of it being “free”, meaning “no charge” funny; Cubans are paid pennies by the state (as we heard various times on the program) for the work they do. The money they would receive for the work they do in any other country is given to the state which is then put into the education and healthcare systems. So, no, it’s not exactly free. They pay into the system with the work they do; just like we do here in the US with our tax system.

In response to Karen’s comment; I also have friends who have been to Cuba on work related trips and would disagree with you on many of your points. Although there may be a few positive things about the regime’s policies, the negative ones outweigh any positives. Whenever there is a lack of freedom to the extent that one has to be careful of being ratted on by his own neighbors (the CDR), how many postives can there be? In a country where the same person has ruled with an iron fist for 46 years and where an opposition party is not allowed, how many positives can there be? No matter what one’s politics are, there are just some things that can never be justified.

Anyway, I wanted to commend you for your program and instead rambled on! Thanks again. As I say, it was the most honesty portrait I’ve heard lately!

]]> By: obmit1 http://www.radioopensource.org/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65265 obmit1 Tue, 23 Aug 2005 11:01:03 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/2005/08/01/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65265 RE fconte August 22nd. There is only one reason for Cuba's lack of economic growth and that is the US embargo. The system is flawed but can you name one that is not ? RE fconte August 22nd.

There is only one reason for Cuba’s lack of economic growth and that is the US embargo.

The system is flawed but can you name one that is not ?

]]> By: karen http://www.radioopensource.org/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65264 karen Tue, 23 Aug 2005 05:21:42 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/2005/08/01/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65264 The show went by way too fast...please do another so some of the topics that came up can be further discussed. I've been to Cuba three times, once in 2002 with a group of 22 women sponsored by the Federation of Cuban Women, and twice in 2004. I spent ten weeks there in the winter studying the healthcare system, specifically mental health and social work, and returned for two more weeks just as hurricane Ivan was revving up. I think it's really important to keep in mind the global context when talking about Cuba. Discussions usually focus on the limitations on speech, the hardship, etc. without acknowledging the absence of sweatshops, the highly valued autonomy, the rare violence (as a woman travelling alone I was well aware of how safe I felt), the infrequent drug use, the safety net...snagged but not shredded. I could go on about the strengths of the society and all that they're doing right; it would be interesting to hear from others about the positive things that are happening. What is phenomenal to me are the life expectancy and infant mortality rates, comparable to the U.S. This in a very poor country as opposed to a very rich and powerful one. What's up with that?! The show went by way too fast…please do another so some of the topics that came up can be further discussed. I’ve been to Cuba three times, once in 2002 with a group of 22 women sponsored by the Federation of Cuban Women, and twice in 2004. I spent ten weeks there in the winter studying the healthcare system, specifically mental health and social work, and returned for two more weeks just as hurricane Ivan was revving up. I think it’s really important to keep in mind the global context when talking about Cuba. Discussions usually focus on the limitations on speech, the hardship, etc. without acknowledging the absence of sweatshops, the highly valued autonomy, the rare violence (as a woman travelling alone I was well aware of how safe I felt), the infrequent drug use, the safety net…snagged but not shredded. I could go on about the strengths of the society and all that they’re doing right; it would be interesting to hear from others about the positive things that are happening. What is phenomenal to me are the life expectancy and infant mortality rates, comparable to the U.S. This in a very poor country as opposed to a very rich and powerful one. What’s up with that?!

]]> By: Lynette http://www.radioopensource.org/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65263 Lynette Tue, 23 Aug 2005 00:32:49 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/2005/08/01/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65263 I've been to Cuba twice with Witness for Peace and also have traveled throughout Central America meeting with human rights organizations, workers, farmers and union organizers. There are many more people fleeing to the US from other Central American countries than from Cuba. The reason for this is that the economic situation is far worse in the other Central American countries. In Nicaragua for example there is no free health care and no free education. People working in maquilas earn less than $2 a day which doesn't pay for enough food to feed a family of 4 let alone all the other expenses. In Mexico farmers can no longer afford to grow corn because of competition from US government subsidized agribusiness so poverty is rampant and the assault on the indigenous culture which depended on corn is shameful. What struck me in Cuba is that there were many many fewer people asking for money and no beggars. Because people are all paid roughly the same everyone feels equally valued by the society. The work of the street cleaner is as important as the work of the doctor. There is dignity to every kind of work. this is a concept which is hard for us in the US to grasp because we know nothing other than a class society laden with inequality. We would never consider a street cleaner as valuable to society as a doctor but we are all human and for a society to function well everyone needs to feeled valued by it. I think that the Cuban experiment is worth studying and learning from. I hope that history will judge them more fairly than the US has. They have certainly made a very positive contribution, educationally and in service to other struggling countries, something we don't often hear about. I’ve been to Cuba twice with Witness for Peace and also have traveled throughout Central America meeting with human rights organizations, workers, farmers and union organizers. There are many more people fleeing to the US from other Central American countries than from Cuba. The reason for this is that the economic situation is far worse in the other Central American countries. In Nicaragua for example there is no free health care and no free education. People working in maquilas earn less than $2 a day which doesn’t pay for enough food to feed a family of 4 let alone all the other expenses. In Mexico farmers can no longer afford to grow corn because of competition from US government subsidized agribusiness so poverty is rampant and the assault on the indigenous culture which depended on corn is shameful. What struck me in Cuba is that there were many many fewer people asking for money and no beggars. Because people are all paid roughly the same everyone feels equally valued by the society. The work of the street cleaner is as important as the work of the doctor. There is dignity to every kind of work. this is a concept which is hard for us in the US to grasp because we know nothing other than a class society laden with inequality. We would never consider a street cleaner as valuable to society as a doctor but we are all human and for a society to function well everyone needs to feeled valued by it. I think that the Cuban experiment is worth studying and learning from. I hope that history will judge them more fairly than the US has. They have certainly made a very positive contribution, educationally and in service to other struggling countries, something we don’t often hear about.

]]> By: fconte http://www.radioopensource.org/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65262 fconte Mon, 22 Aug 2005 23:57:28 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/2005/08/01/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65262 Why hasn't Cuba grown economically compared to other post-communist states? Here's one answer: There is no political freedom without economic freedom and no political rights without property rights. Cuba needs to forget about socialism and follow in the very least the Chinese model, flawed as it may be. Why hasn’t Cuba grown economically compared to other post-communist states? Here’s one answer: There is no political freedom without economic freedom and no political rights without property rights. Cuba needs to forget about socialism and follow in the very least the Chinese model, flawed as it may be.

]]> By: Lisa Williams http://www.radioopensource.org/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65261 Lisa Williams Fri, 19 Aug 2005 13:37:52 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/2005/08/01/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65261 <a href="http://www.radlofoods.com/Contact.html" rel="nofollow">Radlo Foods Contact Info</a> Radlo Foods Contact Info

]]> By: edit http://www.radioopensource.org/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65260 edit Fri, 19 Aug 2005 13:35:08 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/2005/08/01/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65260 Thanks lisa, do you know how to get in touch with him? Thanks lisa, do you know how to get in touch with him?

]]> By: Lisa Williams http://www.radioopensource.org/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65259 Lisa Williams Fri, 19 Aug 2005 04:39:06 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/2005/08/01/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65259 One of the complications is that Cuba is a big importer of food -- but not from the US since the Bush Administration tightened up trade rules that had been relaxed during the Clinton Administration. Here in Watertown, David Radlo of Radlo Foods, an egg wholesaler, was sending 15 million eggs per year to Cuba until the regs zeroed out the business earlier this year. <a href="http://h2otown-info.bryght.net/node/168" rel="nofollow">Link to more info</a>. Maybe Mr. Radlo knows people who could comment further on the issue of microbusinesses. One of the complications is that Cuba is a big importer of food — but not from the US since the Bush Administration tightened up trade rules that had been relaxed during the Clinton Administration. Here in Watertown, David Radlo of Radlo Foods, an egg wholesaler, was sending 15 million eggs per year to Cuba until the regs zeroed out the business earlier this year. Link to more info. Maybe Mr. Radlo knows people who could comment further on the issue of microbusinesses.

]]> By: mnye http://www.radioopensource.org/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65258 mnye Thu, 18 Aug 2005 22:29:44 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/2005/08/01/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65258 Microbusinesses have to operate outside the official economy, or at least with minimal oversight and no red tape. Are larger or medium-sized businesses allowed in Cuba? Are permits and licenses required, for example? What about taxes? Microbusinesses have to operate outside the official economy, or at least with minimal oversight and no red tape. Are larger or medium-sized businesses allowed in Cuba? Are permits and licenses required, for example? What about taxes?

]]> By: Vanessa http://www.radioopensource.org/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65257 Vanessa Tue, 16 Aug 2005 03:56:43 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/2005/08/01/micro-enterprise-in-cuba/#comment-65257 Thanks for the suggestions! We're getting ready to book the show. What we'd really like to get are some Cuban or Cuban-American voices--on the air or as pre-recorded interviews for the site here. Please spread the word and let us know if you get more ideas. Thanks for the suggestions! We’re getting ready to book the show. What we’d really like to get are some Cuban or Cuban-American voices–on the air or as pre-recorded interviews for the site here. Please spread the word and let us know if you get more ideas.

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