People & Power - Reforming Cuba's ailing economy - 14 Mar 09 - Part 2

[rednemesis88]

Fidel is not a dictator. Dictators don't teach the poor literacy. Dictators don't arm the people from the threat of invasion. Dictators don't provide free medical care. Dictators don't ration the food products among the people. Dictators don't cut off diplomatic ties with Israel over the mistreatment of Palestinians. Dictators don't organize teams of doctors to go and provide free medical care to the poor in third world countries. If Castro is a Dictator then he is the strangest one there is.

[Mailb0x1]

@rednemesis88 I hope that the socialism in Cuba gets better and that Cuba life standards will get better. Because that will prove that communism is not that bad after all.

[chingatumadreex]

Great Cuba reporting!

[asnazarov]

The person a least sympathize with is the guy trying to leave... Of course what this whole report fails to mention is that Cuba has a higher standard of living than any capitalist carribean or central american nation, and that it has the highest Human development index of any nonwestern nation... The revolution was the greatest thing that happened to Cuba, and if it is defeated, then cuba will turn into another banana republic, with no health care, education..

[superduperboyx]

Anyone think this guy will ...for the most part forget about his family and makeup likes to them? I mean serously.. this guy was desperate to leave and he mentions a lot about taking care of himself first, then his family. I'm thinking he'll work a lot in Texas.. but will screw around with other women, somehow whatever reason becomes a US Citizen by marrying someone or does something and stays in the US + start a new family... OK if not he'll get deported back to square one.. lol.

[MrKillien]

did anyone see the mason sign at 4:27? it's on top of the globe.

[mrshutter77]

If there is anyone that has not been to Cuba I would highly recommend you go, IT WILL SURPISE YOU regarldess of where you stand on the issue, it has changed many people, it turned revolutionary romantics into anti-castro exiler supporters, it turned anti-castos into pro-revolutionaries, but for 80% of the people who visit it their views (be on the right or left) usually end up in the middle because they stop Cuba & so much black & white terms & more in the gary terms that it is.

[mrshutter77]

If you are gonna give Cubans an adjustment act, you might as well give that to all Latin Americans. Regardless of who is in power in Cuba, the fact is Cuba with a population of 11 million people and growing, can only sustain so many people because it's an Island, people will continue to immigrate from Cuba to North America & Europe no matter who is in power because Cuba is in the end an Island.

[mrshutter77]

This video is further evidence that- this Economic Blockade needs to be lifted, Cuban government needs to make it easier for people to travel freely, the United States as well other "wealthy" nations, be Canada, Spain, France or whomever must be much more flexible in granting Visas to Cubans. Hopefully a Ferry connecting Cuba with Mexico, Jamaica, Haiti, Bahamas & the US would establsihed soon No prefrencial adjustment act is worth risking ones life for. All sides need to give in & compromise!

[prepschoolkid]

oh hey, yosbel is wearing a michigan shirt....sweet.

[llanesyasmani]

In this video they keep saying that before the soviet union collapsed, Cuba was a socialist paradise. Even then food was limited (the ration booklet), the economy still went downwards, technological advances never touched the island (almost every car in Cuba is from the 1950's), all that plus all the freedoms that were surrendered: freedom of speech, travel, private property, individual progress. Communism is simply a system that doesn't work; that's why Cuba is an island stuck in time, puberty.

[TadiR1]

Canada and USA will collapse, recession was nothing, we are heading into major depression, I can see both those nations suffering in near future, Canadian Gouvernment is becoming more corrupt and untrusting, and US gouvernment has been this way for a while.

[davis87ad]

having a nice car living in a nice big house and just being materialist is the biggest problem American have. living well such as eating fruits and berries drinking plenty of water will help us in the future. having free health care....why???? its all about money. Money should mean nothing to us its evil!!!! sharing, caring, trading, being free, equal will help each other dont judge the next man help one another live natural pray and see your blessings dreams are real!!!!!!!

[artdrawsyou]

If the people of Brazil & China are smart, they will work to keep & decentralize their resources such as water & energy. Shrink down to local economies, excluding large international corporations.Going with large corporate entities will keep them slaves to their material wealth & to elitists, they will then fall (similar to US, Greece, Iceland, & the UK). US is becoming more militant as people lose their jobs, homes, food & water! Greed breeds war, and war makes $ for the elite.

[consuelo1962]

Have you followed up on Josbell and see how he is getting on these days? is his family alright?

[fittekatte]

Trade carries with it great potential whether it's within a capitalist or socialist framework. The fact that the established socialist framework for trade withered with the Soviet Union greatly damaged the Cuban economy. The same thing would happen to any small or medium-size capitalist country. If you lose your trade overnight you're in trouble. The Helms-Burton Act does great harm still, banning all companies trading with Cuba from US soil. That's pure evil.....

[BrownEyedOwl]

On the women around 6:20 "the times when I was young were good" she's living in the past and romanticizes it. But look in the present. no point in talk of how good the past was. Her son is clearly not content

[Dornishman1985]

But how can we keep the good deeds of socialism in Cuba? (the universal and free education, the high level of its universities, the health system, the childrem development projects etc) while at the same time opening a little the economy, introducing more individual freedom? We can't do it without US help. And US don;t want us to "reform" our country. To make our socialism "up with the days" They just want us to change everything and became a second Dominican Republic. Well, we don't want that

[Soulflytribe04]

Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Grand Cayman and many other have per capita and very better HDI tahn Cuba. And these countries don't kill political dissidents or forbid people of going abroad.

Dominican Republic is a Heaven compared to Cuba, and my country, Brazil, too.

[DukeAlba]

Cuba used to be a country people emigrated to. Now people leave Cuba... Only when the old generation in government dies will there be change in Cuba.

[knowthetruth1492]

Viva Fidel!

[TadiR1]

@DukeAlba Just like USA and Canada, Europeans wanted to move here so bad in 80's and 90's but now our kids are leaving Canada and USA and are moving to Europe for better opportunities. Sure we still have a lot of emmigrants every year, but they are mostly refugees from countries battered by war and extreme poverty.

[Soulflytribe04]

People in Cuba have only 3 problems to deal with:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

[LelouchDiBritannia]

people, remember or at least -if you don't know- know that Cuba is a thirld world country. Now, compare the social circumstances with other third world countries. You will conclude that the common Cuban lives well compared with other citizens of third world countries. The aggressors, the USA(which fights for freedom and peace= *cough*), doesn't want to take away the embargo. Why not? Because if they do, they cannot keep control in Cuba like before 1959.

[Soulflytribe04]

You are simply lying!

In Brazil we have many states that scores much better than Cuba, in every aspect you can think about. Just like Chile, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Argentina and many others.

Life expectancy in Brazil is now at 70 years old, all population is vaccinated, per capita is at $10000 and increasing every year...

If Cuba is better to live than Brazil why so much cubans come gere to try a better life.

Cuba is a joke from Hell! I'd rather die than live in a country like this.

[Soulflytribe04]

Embargo is the problem?

But Cuba revolution was not about cutting ties with the USA? Fidel used to say that Cuba was the prostibule of the USA.

Now you want the business back?

WTF...

And Cuba does not have embargo with any other country of the World, Cuba can deal with the European Union or China if want...

[LelouchDiBritannia]

@Soulflytribe04 Mate, Cuba's revolution wasn't about cutting ties with the US... You do know that the US(before 1959) had more than 50% under control in Cuba right? The revolution was that they would leave, now what's wrong with that...

The US just puts an embargo so that a socialist country would be seen as unefficient, Besides, do you know the difference how much it affects the Cuban economy if they do business with China or the USA?

[Soulflytribe04]

So, to the Cuba planned communist economy to work they need to "trade" with capitalist america...

Ok, ok...

[irishsocialist32]

it was easy to say that when they could fall back on money from the soviet union. times wher good for the cuban people then, but now with its collapse they have lost alot of cash flow. and with the worlds greatest economic power just off its shores it would make a huge difference being able to trade, and the tourism ect... if you cant see that your blind.

[Soulflytribe04]

It is easy to speak well about socialism when you live in Ireland... One of the most free and capitalist places of the world.

So to the cuban communist economy work well, they need to TRADE with the USA. How ironic...

And no, that will not improve their economy. They already trade with all the world and are still poor, why trading with the US will make them rich?

They need to end communism first, that's ONLY reason for their poverty (period)

[irishsocialist32]

the idea of socialism in one country was born out of necessity. every country is dependant on the next for certain goods, of course cuba must trade for oil medicine ect even marx seid it, this is not ironic lol. i never seid trading with the us would make them rich, but the difference would be dramatic, and the lives of the cuban people would be greatly improved.

i do not beleive in soviet style totaltarianism, im just pointing out facts.

[Soulflytribe04]

Haiti deals with the US.

[windysky4u]

@irishsocialist32 I'm sorry but not true. Cuba trades with the rest of the world. It has lot's but the real problem is the Castro brothers and it's eliet who has an embargo on it's people. Whwn you go to a goverment store, there is nothing but if you go and if allowed, there is lot's but you have to pay in hard pesos. which makes it impossible . ex: 1 toilet roll = 2 days of work

[Soulflytribe04]

5:55, shut up old hog, even in Brazil we have free schools, free vaccines, free health care and we didn't have to adopt communism or kill and jail our people beacause of a sick dream of equality.

[LelouchDiBritannia]

@Soulflytribe04 @Soulflytribe04 Have you compared the birth rate and life expectancy. Cuba scores better than Brazil. What can we conclude?: Cuba doesn't give throw-away vaccinations, it's quality what we are talking about, QUALITY.

[Soulflytribe04]

Life expectancy: 70 x 78 and since Brazil is improving economically, we ll get there soon.

Off course birth rate is lower in Cuba, abortion there is one of the highest of the world. But what's wrong with brazilian birth rate? I think it's too low. We need people! Our contry is almost the size of the USA and we have half the population.

[Itzamna1]

@Soulflytribe04 Actually, it is well known that there are serious issues executions of poor peole (they call them criminals) in the streets of Brazil by police and right wing groups. Brazil, has improved immensly, thanks to socialized policies. So maybe socialism IS the way.

[Soulflytribe04]

LOL... You are so wrong.

If Brazil is better now is because we open our market to the rest of the world since 1990 and started to seize inflation and budget surpluses...

And criminals must be shot! We are tired of them already.

Where are you from? I'm sure you are from a country like Denmark or the USA, it's easy to speal well about socialism when you are NOT affected by it.

[artdrawsyou]

When people finally see that capitalism and natural resources are a dangerous mixture, the Earth and its inhabitants will all breath easier. Global banks have no business connecting money to water, soil, and air! We need a global reform of the international banking system! Che was right; the people will protect their earth. Banks don't see environmental or human rights.

[xredeyez7x]

im a Balsero from 1994 and we was found in the middle of the ocean and taken to the bahamas where we served 8 months in a dentention centre..i have pictures....and this guy from the video is a sell out

[solidysnake1]

In every type of society(Captialist, Socialist, Communist) large portion of Wealth are owned by small portion of the population. Under capitalism there's a middle class who lived under wage slavery.

Capitalism gives people false hope of getting ahead, looking at the distribution of wealth in capitalist society it really is a false hope. False hope is really power force for people, like lottery tickets. This is capitalism. Wage slavery and false hope.

[lornelz]

you say every socieity Capitalist and Socialist the wealth is owned by a few, yet you single out capitalism. Capitalism as it exists today resembles nothing of what it was at the time of Marx. Yet. Communism remains just as brutal as when he first conceived it. Let all tyrany end!

[bluemoondiadochi]

@lornelz where do you live, to think a majority of people on the planet even HAVE a choice?? in cuba's case, recent reforms offer at least a faint hope for some improvement.

but, should "democracy" (read: US pressure everything capital-related back in pre-1959) be reinstaled, i'm afraid they won't get any chance to improve at all!

of two evils, pick the lesser!

oh, and i live in ex-yu, now a new "democracy", but it's same SHIT now, minus production, sovereignity, and culture!

[Borat911]

Cuba is not so bad at all, good education, healthcare and some quality trade products. But for many ambitious young people in Cuba, I can imagine they feel "trapped " , ...and would like to leave .

[drjekill2986]

and exactly how the fuck do you know that? Have you live in Cuba?

[Borat911]

Their own responses and replies on this and many other documentaries and media reports, there's many sides to everything, and even the cuban girl who sais she would never leave ( on this video) does admit the difficulties. Every good thing in life, has minor aspects to it, it depends from person to person, but the millions of cubans living in US proove my statement

[lothevictor]

segun mi opinion todo estuvo bien,pero tenia que haber dicho a los otros amigos donde estaba el gps y una carta de como terminar la embarcacion. que paso con la muela de vamos para alante todos juntos ?todos para uno y todo para mi josbel mal amigo eres peor que fidel castro y toda su camarilla egoista que necesidad tu tenias de ese gps HP

[Altima1830]

Conho este loco si que sabe de balsas, cuando estaba en cuba tambien estaba atacado y tenia pensado ponerle el motor del Lada del viejo, nunca me encontre con un loco como este sino em hubiese tirado con el, ese chamaco me recuerda el ataque que yo tenia, la madre del otro muchacho no sabe que la maternidad y la paternidad existen en el capitalismo y que tambien hay educacion gratis y medicina gratis. no la culpo yo casi me crei el cuento que todo era pagado y cuba linda y el resto horror.

[juanlmesl]

i hated her voice.

[tengomiedo85]

que ignorancia, para abajo todo esta peor. La diferencia de abaj con arriba es que arriba nos tratan como refugiados politicos y abajo tenemos que entrar por la misma canal que todos los demas

[victoria4me]

Josbel looks so good! But I feel sorry for him, life is very hard for an immigrant in the US wherever you come from although, he has asylum!!! he has it easier than the rest of us!!

[rednemesis88]

Actually it's white Cubans who have it easier when they get to the states. The Miami Mafia hates Blacks.

[deeznutzsun]

there's worser countries in latin america than fucking cuba man!!!!

[mykolozano]

taught to praise communism and che while young? haha sounds familiar...

[19thSFGA]

She talks to much let the video tell the story

[murdamo305]

i love my county but those ppl talking about staying r crazy and so r the castor supporter they dont know that there a better life living by all those rule much be so hard and crazy id kill myself

[kungchimaster]

Wow. There's a lot of hate being expressed in the comments here. You shouldn't be so hateful with other people. If someone says something you disagree with say so, but don't say horrible things right back to them. May God bless you and show you all the love you should have for each other.

[droplant]

i disagree people are too hard headed, and self absorbed to have anytype of debate

[ServerMaster42]

Its hard to watch my own kind struggling while I have a better life here in Florida. I wish i could help them in anyway.

[Cubanito20]

loool am from cuba and i moved to usa..1st CUBAN are not Muslims!!, we are 85% cristians and the rest non religion ..[.Ayansupremacy666 u dont know shit about CUBA]

[xoxbabygrl911]

i hate how communism has a way of brainwashing people. i wish they would realize that their situation is hopeless. countries around the world are aginst communists and until cuba changes its government, countries will continue to not trade with cuba. it will be a poor country forever.

[droplant]

lmao the US is brainwashed too, the US is the only country that has an embargo with cuba. dont post if u dont know shit about what ur saying

[Overtime123]

yeah, but ppl in the US have the freedom to be brainwashed by different ppl!!! hahaha!

[sheppyJOLIE]

lol

[wblakews]

:) " he lost 12 kilos on the journey"!!!! Starving in Cuba huh? Lying sob, criminal.

Is the USA still paying these criminals to enter the usa??? Must be up to a couple of grand a month by now, no?

[Aryansupremacy666]

Nasty dirty communist cuban low life shit stained skin muslim looking bastards,was the swim worth it?,...really

[KappaKavala]

dude shut the fuck up, u dumb hick ass brainless inbred rednek faggot

[yaialbe]

i kno man these racist as rednecks man dirty necks his stank mud ass man he is inbred

[yaialbe]

fuk u ugly ass redneck man ur moma is a bastard faggot get da fuk out stank ass bitch

[iComment17]

why the fuck u discrimanate Muslims? u have trash in every branch of humankind , ur a good example! :)

[cubanboy585]

If u know nothing about cuba shut up u mause ! gay!

[Warcrime111]

Fucked up white trash. The word 'Aryan' is a Persian and Indian word, so stop saying shit like 'muslim-looking'.

Fucking dumb redneck retard. Go sleep with ur mom.

[smokeyissofat1]

im glad he made it

[AndyCrysis]

esa chica que sale de primera la que no se quiere ir esta de chupa pinga en el malecon aciendose la fina y es un traga leche y la vieja que sale despues con el mariconsito ese son unos hijos de la gran puta esos son los chivatos de cuba y a los que hay que eradicar primero la revolucion a la pinga ojala que algun dia cambien la cosas para mi linda cuba

[pipescu]

joem782000 te esto estoy diciendo que en colombia aparte de los altos costos que hacen casi imposible adquirirlos, se requiere de una aprobacion del gobierno para tenerlos, de lo contrario podrias ir a la carcel, asi que si traes un GPS a colombia asegurate de sacar el permiso antes para que no tengas problema, aaaa y ese permiso es muy dificil de conseguirlo no solo por el burocratismo sino por politica de estado,

[pipescu]

yo no tengo gps los unicos que lo tiene son las grandes coorporaciones las personas ricas, nose si en USA todo el mundo tiene o es muy facil de conseguir y hay que tener un permiso del gobierno, que casi nunca lo dan, y si tu tienes un gps sin permiso te meten a la carcel, y me asi es entoda latinoamerica para tu informacion

[pipescu]

TIENE HASTA GPS viven mejor que en colombia, todos estan gorditos

[Sikitraqui]

Lo que hace falta es Jama! (EL ORIGINAL

otro buen video que no deben perderse !

veanlo en youtube

Lo que hace falta es Jama! (EL ORIGINAL

[camaguey87]

In addition, as we all know Fidel Castro is consider to be on the top ten richest people of the world, if he is so rich then he could buy anything he wants cash. So really, the embargo is just an excuse Fidel gives to the world and unfortunately many people believe all his bullshit still. By the way, considering how bad the economy is in Cuba and how poor everyone in Cuba is, don't you find it a little bit ironic how rich Fidel Castro is?

Read a book people and get informed of the real world.

[borggi]

Give a creditable source and i'll believe you!

[rednemesis88]

The stuff about Fidel Castro being rich is a lie perpertarted by the Wall Street Journal. It's all designed to make him look bad.

[camaguey87]

to give it back to anybody and that it was not going to pay anything to the actual owners for keeping them neither. In response to his illegal and dishonest acts, the United States of America decided to put the embargo on Cuba. This does not mean that Cuba cannot buy anything from the United States or that it cannot do any type of business with this country is just means that if they want to buy something, they must pay cash! The only thing is that they have no credit with the United States...

[camaguey87]

For all of you complaining about the embargo that the United States has on Cuba, you should all get informed and read a little bit more! The embargo started back in 1959 when Fidel Castro took over Cuba. Moreover, he not only took over Cuba but took over all private business from any other country, braking the rules and just doing what ever he wanted like he has always done. Many of these private business that he took over belonged to the United States and Fidel said that he was not going...

[rednemesis88]

And what were these American businesses doing in Cuba, supporting Batista, who in turn, enforced a racist jim crow system as well as giving all the help to the rich land owning Latifundas. The Us has no right to put an embargo on anyone.

[anaelena65]

Racism is alive & well in Cuba, the end of Batista didn't change that. You said you're Cuban & I find it hard to believe you aren't aware of that. Didn't you live there? Why are 80% of prisoners black & why are there so few blacks in high government positions? Are you not aware of great black Cubans such as Professor Walterio Carbonell who was silenced by the regime for speaking out on racial issues post revolution. So many believe there's no racism just because Castro says so, get informed!

[rednemesis88]

I do know there is racism against blacks still. But Castro got rid of legalized racism. Many white Cubans are racist and that gets reflected in Cubans society.

[anaelena65]

rednemesis88 I will say that you're entertaining if NOTHING else. Blaming racism on the Cuban people vs Castro is too funny. Why is it that only a very small % of blacks are in the elite power of the government system & yet over 80% of the prisoners in Cuba are black? You can say what you want, but it will not negate what Cuba is under the oppresive regime & those that have lived it & have friends & family still there know the truth,& that you can't take away from us.

[rednemesis88]

First of all there is no elite power in Cuba. Second of all there is SOME racism in Cuba not TOTAL. I have a black great uncle who is a retired high-ranking officer in the Cuban forces You are exaggerating the racism that goes on in Cuba. To be a racist in Cuba is against the law but that does not mean that people there do not have the ATTITUDE against certain people. It's the same in the States. It's illegal to discriminate in certain places and there are alot of blacks in prison here too.

[anaelena65]

red have you read the news lately that finally people are speaking out against the discrimination against blacks in Cuba. Glad you have a great uncle who is a retired high-ranking officer. I never said there weren't any blacks I said there are a small amount of blacks in high ranking positions and a large amount of blacks in prisons. As far as comparing Cuba & US, the irony is that Castro has made it look as if he was the great leader of black rights when Cuba is run by a bunch of OLD WHITE MEN!

[rednemesis88]

If Fidel castro is such a racist, then why did he sent the Cuban military to angola to stop the South African forces from spreading apartied to that defensless African nation? What did Cuba get in return?- nothing. The current Angolan government is now corrupt and shiftless and does not trade with Cuba. There's not even a permanent Cuban garrison over there. Castro defended an African nation from a racist political system and asked for nothing in return. Do you know how costly war is?

[truthInExile1]

you have no idea what goes on in Cuba, but of course you know that... ignorance is one thing, but making unfounded comments is another...

[rednemesis88]

My comments are based on facts and my own first hand accounts

[anapao89]

Provoca ahorcar a la ingeniera esa de m***... gracias a gente como ella es q paices se vienen abajo.. todo es por como dijo ella "todos tenian los mismos derechos" es decir ya nadie tenia mas q otra persona y eso les molesta y les crea envidia... Pudranse no joda..(odio a fidel y chavez)

[rednemesis88]

Me parece lo que udsted odia mas es que esa ingeniera (y la majoria de Cubanos) tienen mas integridad para no vender la dignidad de Cuba a los burgeses norte Americano.

[nedelkocorria]

oye red nemesis fidel se la pasa hablando mierde ke len los estados unidos la gente vive en opolencia y ke son unos egoistas pero el es el mas ipocrita del el mundo porke el tiene tremenda casa tiene su propias vacas con nummeros el y su familia mientras en cuba la gente pasa un travajo para conciger un litro de leche pero hoara el mundo dabe la clas de mierda ke el es viste el body gard ke se le escapo el contodo sobre el miera lo en oscar hanza para si tu has to propia conclosion

[rednemesis88]

The economic problems that Cuba has, has nothing to do with it's socialism. The trade embargo (which is against international law) that the US government has imposed on the island is the cause of her hardships. Right now, Cuba is in a stated of delayed development. If there was no embargo (from any powerful government) things would be very different.

[nedelkocorria]

the embargo does int really work i think they sould lift it castro does int really want that because he used the embargo as an excuse for all hes problems so if they ift it i woder what othere thing hes going to say i hope obama can do this

[anaelena65]

I agree the embargo should be lifted so that Castro can no longer blame the US for the economic mess he has Cuba in. I'm not sure however that Obama will step up to the plate and do what needs to be done. Look how long the embargo has been in affect and it's been through both Democratic and Republican Presidents. I hold out little hope that it will change but pray for a miracle!

[boots920]

I have been to Cuba many times and its the only place where I have visited where the people's education doesn't match the economy. Being intelligent, educated peasants is very frustrating especially for the young. Cuba is missing an economy if that could be achieved without subsidy is would be a very successful country. The Cuban people are incredible given the right opportunity they could achieve 1st world status. Socialism doesn't work if there is no opportunity to get ahead.

[lproth]

"Socialism doesn't work if there is no opportunity to get ahead." that is what Socialism is all about keeping every one at the same low level. case in point if every one was doctor and such, who would pick up the trash and other dirty jobs that make sociaty workable. Keep every one low, you no issues and total control.

[boots920]

Its total insanity , the quality of workers Cuba has would suit a free market, because the government controls everything (communism not socialism) you end up with intelligent workers with nothing to do. Total disaster....like doctors selling black market gas to supplement their income.

[anapao89]

This is tru i dont know why not Cubans are cheering and suporting socialism cuz thats nothing (i can see that the younger genration have a better idea) what it needs to happen is democracy.. but ofcourse as the girl that is an engineer said that is better, i guess is cuz she was always poor and envy the rich and thats the way she was brought up.. is sad.. and Venezeula where im from, is goint in the same direction! i dont understand how people dont realize by seeing the effects on Cuba

[rednemesis88]

Socialism is about advancing the political and economic interests of the working class. Thats the bottom line. The parlementary body of Cuba's governement is seventy percent proleterian; who are ditch-diggers, cane cutters, auto-mechanics, construction workers. That is why socialism does work in Cuba, because at the very least Cuba belongs to the Cubans, not the US or any other foriegn empire. And sure, they are an impoverished country but at least it's theirs to collectively control and rule.

[nedelkocorria]

red it is easy to talk good about communimim when your sitting at your house with the ac on and eating a big ass burger and drinking champagne while us cuban are starving

[rednemesis88]

First of all I rent, my ac hardly works and I don't drink. Yes I do eat burgers but only because fast food restaurants sell them cheap. Second of all, Cubans are not starving. Some in certain areas might be going hungry but only because of agricultural, weather or mismanagment of food producing factors. I mean, if you look at all of the videos depicted in this website you'll find planty of over-weight Cubans. On a more personal level, my half-brother, when he came to the 'States, was fat.

[anaelena65]

Please tell me where your fat half-brother lived that he had plenty of food. I too have family in Cuba (Havana, Pinar del Rio), some are not skinny but what they eat is starch not healthy foods. I send vitamins to give them nurishment. I've been back to Cuba and didn't find all those Cubans you speak of that have plenty of food. Please let us know where they are so I can let my family know & they can move (will the government let them?) and live well. I appreciate your good news!

[azar1520]

Socialism and communism are two different ideologies, even though both are from the left, communism is farther to the left than socialism. Socialism is actually very viable, countries like sweeden and norway tend to call themselves socialist countries. However, it is rare for a country to call itself communist because it has a bad connotation for the relationship between comunism and atheism and dictatorship.

[azar1520]

Even President Chavez call its revolution socialism of the 21st century, not communism of the 21st century. Personally, as a economist and environmental engineering student know that socialism is good for Latin America; however, the transnational will do everything to sabotage socialist governments in the developed world. Since they cannot stand the idea of giving a better salary to their employees.

[azar1520]

Also capitalist fail to recognize or do not want to recognize that our natural resources will not last forever. Therefore, it is important to educate the people in the importance of living a sustainable life. Save energy, provide for one's children, go to college, and wait a couple of years to have a baby, work smart, and help yourself while helping others. Do a constructive criticism of your government, and create cooperatives. Pay taxes, and

[mauricioshalom]

I usually like Al Jazeera, but this report is very lacking...the time allocated for supporters of the government is minimal, no interviews with authorities, no mention of the devastating US embargo, no mention of the wonderful things Cuba does in international affairs, no mention of the background of Joel and why he got to that point, no mention of the hundreds of Cubans who die every year attempting to reach Florida....

[laurid86]

Mauricioshalom, I very much agree with u on what concerns the evidential acuracy of this report.

i know, for a fact that Cuba is far away from being the social paradise in which the people are engaged in the policy making, as many still want to believe. however in every side of the issue there are interests. its is not a matter of good guys and bad guys. This is a political rivalry in which a third part (the cuban people) are suffering the devastating effects poverty.

[ngarey]

no mention of the embargo?

[blackmetalurgist]

You can thank fucking america for the poverty in Cuba, that 50 year imbargo is an abortion! Fuck America!

[robertsanga80]

oh, each one of you are such an idiot to write or travel that far for no personal benefit of your country man and women.....

[teemuruskeepaa]

But it wouldn't be democracy to fight against other parties in parliament. That is the same in that you don't have the political right of power in the parliament. That right should be individual and universal. If you don't have power in the parliament, it's not a democracy. Representation is not democracy either. It is just a prerequisite. It is impossible to represent anybody without their own initiative. I want individuals to control means of production of economy, politics and society

[teemuruskeepaa]

Real socialism, control of economy by people, works so that people choose and define themselves what they produce. In that kind of system, people would be happy with everything they produced. That's why I claim that guy wants to buy a car, because he doesn't own and control his own economy. The dictatorship of the government does. The deprivation of living standards, poverty and the graving for Western consumerism in Cuba, is the governments fault and representation of non-socialist policy

[teemuruskeepaa]

Capitalism expands is possible by the fact that the politico-economic ownership and control scheme makes people to ask more of the same that denies their chances of ruling themselves.

[amsterdam78]

What these fools think is once they get here they will be welcomed with open arms, in reality they will work poor jobs, and be forced to live without medical care or even comfortable homes. Crime is rampant among the new Cuban community, turning to crime, when the capitalist lie hits them.

[teemuruskeepaa]

The American way of life is wrong, not because how well things are done there, but because individuals don't have any power in any parliament, unless you won the elections.

[amsterdam78]

We have only two parties, and its made in such a way as to make it impossible to have a third. Both parties represent the states capitalist system, there is no labor or workers party such as a socialist party would be. In essence the workers are not represented in congress.

[IBERJEN]

Release your anger,hate and envy my youg padawan.Un-block me and come to the Light-Side.

[boots920]

Without sound money no system can be successful. Look at the United States before 1913, before the central bank came in and destroyed the concept of freedom. Sure it wasn't perfect but it sure was successful. The central banking system is going to do us sheople in.

[thegathering18]

Actually, they are more likely to get universal healthcare, you fucking moron.