Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Steve MacLeod, Ontario Canada — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:59:00 GMT

When it comes to Cuba to see the US live up to it's highest ideals and begin a dialogue to help correct the wrongs on both sides of the Florida Strait would be almost unbelievable. Then again America has a black president. If only Americans could see themselves as others do they might want to keep saying Yes we can and yes we will. What a better world we could have.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Rocky, Tucson Az. — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:30:35 GMT

Seems unusual that a communist county like Cuba would be happy to have us elect Obama. Just like the rest of the world, they know that with him, and the other dem's in power they will be able to walk all over the U.S. With the democrats in office, and their semi-socialist beliefs, does the rest of the world see the U.S. as weak?

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Linda Wells, San Jose, California — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:56:43 GMT

OK...why is it that we have "normal" relations with China but Cuba has to have "democratic changes" before we will talk to them? Do people really believe that China is the bastion of democracy? Besides, the embargo hasn't really worked all that well anyway. Maybe working with Cuba instead of against them is worth a try.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Luis — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:22:38 GMT

As a Cuban who came to this country in the 60's yes the enbargo has failed to bring change within Cuba. but thecubans need to stop blaming the US for everything and take control of their own situation. Change needs to e on both sides . Amazing that the US can have diplomatic ties with China and send all work overseas total isolationism is unacceptable especially with world conditions but we need to take care of our own here in the states and have countries bail themselves out. no one will ever bail out the US. Tired of having everyone hate the US but when they cant deal with their own shit they call on us . Yet when we call on them no one is ever home

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Ann Theresa Portland Ct — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:23:35 GMT

I bet they are all lining up, too, because Obama is going to take care of their gas and mortgage.Oh boy.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Adrian Cockerell — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:59:45 GMT

Why not,I for one believe we have isolated Cuba long enough.They may not think the way we do,but Iraq people do not either.We do buisness with Mexico and they have as many human rights issues as Cuba.We normilized relations with Viet Nam and do trade with them.I would say,let the U.S. Cubans decide.They have loved ones there.I'm sure they feel alot like North and South Korea,the two governments isolating themselves for all these years.The people that have relatives in both countries are the ones that suffer.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Rey Luna, Norfolk, VA — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:35:18 GMT

It is time to life the restrictions and embargo. cuba will come around to a Democracy on its own time. No one wants to be force to change without allowing them the decision to be their own. What kind of Democray will dictate to its citizen that you can only visit your relatives in another country once every three years or how much money I can assist them with. That is not Democracy!

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

rose garza, laredo, Texas — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:40:24 GMT

I have a lot of confidence in President- Elect Obama. I am sure he will meet with the Cuban government and will do what is in the best interest of the Americans, including Cuban Americans.
From a Texan for Obama.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Kate, CA — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:14:15 GMT

This is pretty much a "duh", well, yes we a should have a relationship with Cuba. Cuba isn't the same for one thing, and we need to see our comminalities and not always our divisions. PS I'm a republican who voted for Barack and will never vote republican again until the evangelical social conservatives are muzzled or removed.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

peter L — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:20:00 GMT

Yea, its time for the US to take a different approach to Cuba. It is the Cuban people who have suffered most from the US embargo...not the government of Cuba. Its like punishing children for the mistakes of their parents. And we have seen in the fall of communism in Europe, nothing is more powerful to the fall of the communist regime as the practical influence of capitalism. When people could freely take western goods to their relative on the other side of the wall, the East Germans got really dissatisfied under which conditions they had to live and as more relatives visited East Germany, more ideas transfered the iron curtain. This was the time when the people in East Germany and in first Poland started to go and take their grievance to the streets. And the unbloody revolution started.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

David N, The Hague, The Netherlands — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:33:47 GMT

Despite the probable hard line the 'exiled' in Florida may take, I think after some 50 years, it is surely time to stop acting like a petulant little rich boy and open things up. Cuba is no worse than many others we do business with -- far, far better a potential partner and friend than Pakistan for example -- and it would free up a lot of security assets on both sides (and also give Venezuela's Chavez heartburn). Instead of just closing Guantanamo, I'd give it back and make Cuba whole again in exchange for drug intervention assistance. It's time for some good will, and Barak Obama is the only person who can extract unlimited mileage from such a gesture. Want reforms in Cuba? Treat them openly as friends. That will loosen decades of 'revolutionary' hauteur. Let's just do it!

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Eric, Salinas, CA — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:35:23 GMT

It's way past time to normalize relations with Cuba. The clueless idea that keeping them at arms length by trying to isolate Cuba becuase of Castro has proven a losing proposition. If we ever want to influence Cuba towards democracy we have to normalize relations so we can exchange not only goods and service but our ideals and ides.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Hal, PA — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:05:50 GMT

I want Pres. Bush to rescind all Presidential Executive Orders as they apply to Cuba effective immediately. Congress can then rescind previous laws passed.
After 50-plus years of failed policies, when are we going to accept the facts that 90 miles away from Key West are people who like us and will buy from us!
Plus the fishing would be great.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

J.Matias, St Petersburg, Fl — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:16:41 GMT

I hope for normal relations with Cuba. The embargo has served no purpose but to help impoverish the country. Cubans are our neighbors and should be treated justly.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Jay E, Ogden, Utah — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:32:37 GMT

How easily we forget. For those that don't remember history are bound to repeat it. Cuba had nuclear weapons intended for use against the U.S. Look at your history of Cuba. What do you think C&H sugar stands for? Why is it just H now? Comunists countries can and do step in and take whatever they want. C&H lost tens of millions in assets and property. We can thank slick Willy (Bill Clinton) for NAFTA, for most favored trading status with China and for the financial crisis we are in due to his legistation forcing mortgage companies to do sub-prime loans. Communist countries should never be a most favored trading partner! Stop listening to the media and start studying history. All our jobs are going over seas thanks to Clinton sending them there. Obama will probably continue that. We had great economic times in the 90's, but we are paying for it now.

The people of the world need to stop looking at the U.S. for help. If they don't like the way things are in their country then change it. Don't despise the U.S., but expect us to help out with financial and other assistance then go back to hating us. We have enough problems of our own that we need to address without solving the problems of the world. We offer deomocracy and we get spit upon - Iraq. Solve your own problems and we will welcome you as a friend. Throw the comunists out of office and we will help.

The election in the U.S. should be back page news to people in other countries. They should be worried about their own countries and notice the election in passing. Why is it such a big deal to them. Worry about what's going on in your own back yard and fix it. Do you know what the election results are in New Zealand? Why not!

Don't expect anything to change with a new administration. They are all politicians who are good at lying to get into office. It doesn't matter the color of their skin. Politicians are all the same.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

B. Hernandez — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:47:31 GMT

I was born in Cuba and left in 1962, at the age of 5. I am already 52 years old. I do agree that we should be allowed to go visit our relatives in Cuba, and vice-versa. What I do not understand - because there is no explanation - is why the Cuban government blames the US embargo for its problems. Let's face it, Cuba could trade with all the other remaining countries in the world. Actually, Cuba is now trading with the US - the only catch is that they have to pay CASH. If the embargo were lifted, they would be able to buy on credit...they would never pay. They are only using words to try to fool and confuse the rest of the world.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Proud American — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:13:02 GMT

Cuba’s biggest trading partners are Venezuela, Canada and the U.S., yes...the U.S. For Thirty years many Americans having been traveling to Cuba, infusing good clean Greenbacks into their economy. There are plenty of dollars traded every day on the streets of Havana (illegal or not). It propels much of their internal economy. Many Europeans laugh at the U.S., vacationing on the island at lavish resorts that few Cubans even know exist, let alone be allowed to stay at these exclusive venues. Take a trip trough Google and look for photos that have been posted by many all over the world at out-of-the-way-resorts.
Cuba's economy is solid for the political hierarchy. Trickle down does not exist in Cuba.
Open dialog with the Cuban government will only aid to help their coffers.
Only until they, as a notion, accept the failed totalitarian regime, will they be candidates for true social, political and economic change.
If we feed the beast, the beast will simply continue to grow and fester.
Chavez is proving the people can make the same mistake over and over again.
There is always more than what is seen on the surface. It would be a shame if we were to, all of a sudden, believe that the Cuban government has the interest of their people at heart. This was never true since 1959 and until the Castro's finally relinquish their stronghold on their people, they never will.

I pray Obama can since the shroud of deceit and use his earned intelligence to make the right decisions.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Bruce Tucker, Charlottesville, VA — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:13:24 GMT

The Cold War has been over for two decades and it is absurd that we are continuing to punish Cuba for it. But the REAL reason our politicians keep the embargo is to get the votes of a bloc of single issue voters in a swing state. The exiles think that eventually the US can make Cuba give them back the property they lost in 1959. Well, tough. That's not going to happen, not now, not ever. Get over it. The revolution was 50 years ago and we all might as well put it behind us.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Walter, Chicago, IL — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:15:30 GMT

We can change Cuba by exporting our culture to it.
China, a communist government has already had to lighten up to a capitalist economy. Eventually those same Chinese will demand more from their government just as Americans have.
Change does not come from isolation.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

paul, outside the USA — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:24:14 GMT

As much as I would like to see the embargo lifted, I do have a fear. Cuba has been segregated for too long, and no one really remembers why (OK, we do, but why hold onto the mentality that obviously hasn’t worked for the last 50 years!)

No, the Cuban people need reform, and they need a decent life & expectations.

What I do fear, is that the Cuban island, which is a popular vacation destination for a few of us (inexpensive & ‘natural’) will become ‘Americanized’. That is, as soon as the embargo is lifted, I expect corporate America to jump in, and paint the island with golden Ms, the Colonel, and other icons of American consumerism. No longer will the peaceful & simple island have that charm. But the charm will be in the form of loud & obnoxious US visitors who want & wish for their burgers & fries & MTV. We don’t need another Mexico. We want a destination that is unique and original, not a US corporate tourist trap.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Nique — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:50:16 GMT

Raul Castro is not Fidel. He is willing to change things to some point and the writers who point out that we do business with China are correct.

It's time we stop this sad story concerning Cuba and normalize relations.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

ebz — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:23:10 GMT

NEWS FLASH: the embargo was over becoming a nuclear outpost for the USSR.

NEWS FLASH: The wall has come down. The USSR is gone.

NEWS FLASH: Fidel is no longer alive.

Personally, I would rather have someone so close to our shores as our FRIEND.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Daniel, Miami, FL — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:50:50 GMT

As a Cuban american of the younger generation, I could not be prouder that many of my fellow cuban americans young and old who decided to vote for change despite the older hard right wing Cubans resistant to voting Democrat. It is catching on that the embargo with Cuba has been and will always be a complete failure to understand the current US-Cuba relationship. We need to engage our enemies with strong, tough diplomacy, not isolate ourselves from the world. There is no message more powerful to the Cuban people both in Cuba as well as the Cuban exile community then allowing Americans to travel to Cuba without restrictions so they may be ambassadors for freedom and democracy in a place where that is lacking. If anything the travel restrictions and embargo strengthens the Cuban government by giving them an excuse for why the cuban people are suffering. Obama is change we can believe in. Lets move past our differences and come together towards compromise. I encourage the Cuban exile community to engage in a constructive dialogue to help bring change to Cuba from the bottom up, not from the top down. God bless you all and God Bless America.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Damon Rockreegez — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:51:59 GMT

We should never lift the embargo, even if Cuba becomes the 51st state. Only then can democracy flourish.

Cubans hope Obama’s win means ‘better times ahead’

Mike, Indiana — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:56:46 GMT

Bush has created a great situation - he has antogonized Russia into Cold War behavior and now Russia is again courting Cuba, and Venezuela as well.

Hopefully Obama will bring about a normalization of relations with Cuba. This lack of diplomacy that has endured for 50 years concerning the Cubans has to stop.