Cuba!

I, for one, am certainly not an Obama fan, particularly after the discovery of how he sold us all down the river with Obamacare. But perhaps the old saying “even a blind pig finds a potato in the snow once in awhile” might be the most fitting, I think he has hit a home run with this one. It will be no less controversial that President Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon, but as with that situation, in the long run, it’s going to go down in history as a very smart move, especially after the Russians took Crimea. They will be smarting over this one for a long time, particularly with their economy on the brink of a possible collapse where they are in no position to go to Cuba with large packages of aid. Cube was ripe for the picking and Obama made a smart move. And lets not forget that Cuba & North Korea are the only two countries on the face of the earth that don’t have Coca Cola …. So soon, it will be down to one!

Looking at the polls, not everyone is convinced it’s a good idea, but of those with the strongest objections are the same that lived to see the Castro governments rise and all the evils it embraced. You can’t bring about change on the world stage if you aren’t willing to put aside old differences for new opportunities. Without that there would never be peace in the world and enemies would be forever. Putting together diplomatic relations, easing trade embargo’s and travel restrictions will give Cuba the opportunity at greater economic opportunities and in the long run, a long standing enemy may transpire into a great friend of the USA and eliminate one more communistic government in this hemisphere.

Certainly there will be difficulties as with any new relationship, but here is a case where both countries have the opportunity to prosper based upon mutual exchange. Cuba needs much modernization which presents opportunity to American business and having access to American markets will spur the Cuban economy. Needless to say, the opportunity for tourism will be a big advantage to Cuba and the future opportunity for tourist related industries for both countries will abound. And don’t get me started on those wonderful C uban cigars ….. oh lord!

Some of the lesser considered advantages would be having supporter in anti-terrorism, anti-trafficking of narcotics & human trafficking, the elimination of future military threats that were once long standing and the opportunity for many families to reconnect with family members on both sides of the gulf.

Nobody is saying it won’t take time and there won’t be bumps in the road. There are always such problems in any relationship, particularly when sworn enemies decide to be friends; but in the long run this one is going to have a lot more advantages and will be worth the efforts.

Over the years I have had two opportunities to visit Cuba. The people were very nice and the hospitality was endless. Bringing in American dollars certainly didn’t hurt either. Walking the streets of Havana was like stepping back into an old 1950’s movie and those taxi’s … I’ve never seen so many 1950 era Chevy’s in my life … just selling old vintage cars to Americans will be a tremendous boost for the local folks! LOL

It won’t be a walk in the park for business. There are already a number of established non-American companies into agriculture, mining, etc. so our business folks will need to be sharp, but the opportunities for improved telecommunications, computers, hotels, legalized gambling, and many more will be there … it all depends upon our governments to start this dance slowly and not throw up any walls. Diplomacy will most certainly be the key.

Personally, I’ve checked out my passport and in about two years I’m going to be ready for a visit. Hope to see you there!