Conservatives wonder why liberals never complain about the human rights violations in Cuba, 90 miles from the United States. Liberals complain endlessly about the Koch Brothers, Big Oil, The One Percent”, and all else on their approved hate lists. But, they never say bad things about Castro and what he’s done to Cuba.
When asked about their selective outrage, liberals sneeringly reply, “The problems in Cuba are largely caused by the United States’ refusal to trade with Cuba.”
They say it with a straight face. Those who like to blame the United States for everything that ever goes wrong actually believe it.
But, the liberals are partly, if accidentally, right. Some in the United States are responsible for Cuba’s problems. Why?
After WWII, Americans discovered that it only takes a few minutes more to fly from Chicago, New York City, and most American cities to Havana than to Miami. Cuba had become a destination. Increasing numbers of Americans were vacationing, gambling, fishing, touring, and living in Cuba.
Interests in Florida were very worried. “Most of our remaining coastal properties are nothing but swamp. Cuba, on the other hand, has thousands of miles of absolutely stunning coast line. What if retirees and those who want second homes fly over Florida and build in Cuba? Our Florida land would be worth less. A lot less. We have to do something!”
The teachers’ union and public education professionals were slowly made to understand: “Our funding comes from property tax. If people build along the thousands of miles of Cuba’s coastline, where land, labor, and materials are much cheaper, they won’t build here! If Cuba’s coastline is developed instead of ours, we won’t have the property taxes we need to hire more teachers and provide the raises and benefits we want them to have so they don’t mind paying union dues. We have to do something!”
Other state and local governments agreed. “Cuba has a lot going for it. It has a varied topography, not just boring flatness. People are friendly. Costs are low. There are much lower sales, property, and income taxes in Cuba. Any taxpayer with half a brain would rather live in Cuba than Florida. We have to do something!”
Medical professionals had concerns, as well. “Cuba has an advanced medical establishment. Their costs are vastly lower. If American start having their elective surgery and dental work done in Cuba while their families vacation there, we’ll lose billions. We have to do something!”
Oilmen, from Texas to Arabia, were concerned. “There are endless billions of barrels of oil in shallow, easily drilled water right off the Cuban coast. If they start drilling, we’ll lose fortunes. We have to do something!”
So, American builders, contractors, developers, suppliers, doctors, hoteliers, restauranteurs, dentists, drillers, and the vast power of the public sector unions were united in the desire to do something about Cuba. One proven solution was obvious: “Let’s have the Communists turn Cuba into a huge prison camp. Then, there will be no property rights, infrastructure, or freedom. You know, like we did in North Korea.”
Castro and an “army” of half-trained, vicious malcontents were allowed to topple the suddenly and mysteriously incompetent Cuban military. The top leaders were provided with soft places to land. Communists were allowed to help with vitally needed “land reform”, “redistribution”, and “re-education”. Castro and the Communists would be portrayed to the American people as the evil, freedom-hating villains.
“Are any Americans dumb enough to believe that?”, some of the plotters asked in astonishment. Even today, most Americans actually don’t realize why Cuba has become an oppressive gulag. Those who profited understand. They still snicker, all the way to the bank. As their souls leave their bodies, snickering is replaced with something far, far more unpleasant.
Liberals blame American for Cuba’s oppressive tyranny, but for the wrong reasons. America’s leaders, then uniformly drawn from the soon-to-be marginalized Protestant elite, did make Catholic Cuba the oppressive prison camp that it is. And, that’s why there’s no end in sight for the downtrodden Cuban people. That’s the real reason Cuba fell and can’t get up.
Not one liberal will complain about the vicious evil unleashed upon the Cuban people, even the few who are smart enough to realize what actually happened. Especially, the ones smart enough to realize what actually happened.
