Is it a little obnoxious that "America" thinks their policy change with Cuba will drastically change Cuba?

People (whoever they are) are jumping the gun.

Yes, Cuba will change, but gradually, over a span of years – maybe a decade – and definitely not right away.

Come back in 10 years and ask the same question.

We always think that. It’s not a surprise. But the contacts aren’t in place, the relationships as well, so it’ll be a while before we see any difference.

If things do change I think we just have good timing. Cuba opening relations with us possibly is an indication Cuba is changing and we were allowed in on the ride, not necessarily the reverse.

Just like giving credit to Reagan for the Berlin wall and changes in Russia. Things were already changing with or without Reagan.

The US is a huge potential market just 90 miles from their shores. If trade develops it could be good for them. Although where we are going to find replacement parts for those 55 Chevys is beyond me. Light bulb! Potential business in trading cars for all those classic cars. Laughs.

What “America” are you talking about? I haven’t seen “obnoxious”. Everything I’ve seen about this has been about how this is only the beginning, sanctions are up for review but have not been lifted yet, and that it will take some time for this new age of diplomatic relations between the USA and Cuba to have a noticeable impact on the Cuban economy and policies.
I imagine that open tourism will be the first benefit.

Maybe it’s regional, and you are hearing things from different sources than I.

I put “America” in quotes, because not all Americans believe this is a road to democracy for the Cuban people, while other Americans believe it is. The media certainly is full today of people saying this is a step towards change and freedom for the Cuban people.

Look who is being critical of this diplomatic change.

It’s the far right wing, who (consistently) don’t want any change at all to occur on anything. There’s a reason why they are called conservatives. Even the if the current situation is utterly foolish – which the US policy towards Cuba was after 50 years – they right likes it because it is stasis. If you hate change, then you approve of the status quo, no matter who idiotic that is.

I give Obama high marks for having the audacity to change things.

It seems to me that this came about as a “sideline” to the prisoner exchange.

@Yetanotheruser – perhaps. Not sure that it matters. The option presented itself. Obama could have said “no”. He didn’t – he said “let’s go for it”.

A conservative wouldn’t have.

@elbanditoroso I’m a Democrat and in favor of travel and trade with Cuba and I think America taking premature credit for making incredible changes for Cuba is a little obnoxious.

I am curious about what you listen to/watch/read, @JLeslie, as I have yet to see “America” taking any credit for anything at this point, obnoxiously or otherwise.

I haven’t watched much. I saw Obama give his speech, I saw Donny Deutch for a few minutes on Morning Joe talking about it, and I have seen what a lot of people have said on Facebook and Fluther.

What are you watching?

Maybe think smaller, imagine the biggest metropolis near you was suddenly closed off. Everything that came from, went to, or traveled through there had to stop. Would that be a big deal? You’d adapt, and that would become the new normal, but there would be a lot of noticeable changes and life in your town would be more difficult.

Then in 50 years it suddenly reopened, you might not drive there on day one, and there’s not going to be an immediate reworking of your local economy, but eventually it would mean real changes to your life. You might work there, or shop there, or just visit to see the sights. If you own a business, you might like having a huge town nearby to either find customers or source your products.

It’s a big deal to live on an island. Anything that isolates it further is going to have an effect.

@funkydaddy Mexico has that big metropolis nearby and MX is even a democracy.

For me, if the people don’t have freedom of speech it’s a huge problem. I don’t see that changing so fast in Cuba. I just saw a Cuban-American saying Cubans can’t own hotels in Cuba, but foreign owners do have hotels. If that is true, that’s awful.

I agree things might start changing, but I think Cuba must be in the mood for change to begin with, not so much that the US can take credit for it.

@JLeslie – I was saying for you personally, imagine the largest metropolis in your area closed it’s borders.

Mexico’s economy is about 1/15th the size of the US. That’s about the difference between New York City and Buffalo. Which closing would affect New Yorkers more?

@funkdaddy I understand your point. I agree with your point. But, do you feel like the US can take credit if Cuba winds up becoming a democracy because we opened relations with them? If Cubans now can own businesses and prosper.

Will Obama be able to say he helped the change towards democracy like Reaganites say Reagan helped bring on the fall of the Berlin Wall? My Russian girlfriend said things were already changing in Russia regardless of the US.

@JLeslie Reaganites say a lot of things about Reagan that are not necessarily true. I suspect Obama-ites of the future would say the same thing about Obama, if that were the case. Personally, I think the lifting of the embargo has the potential to return the economic relationship of the two countries to the pre-Bay of Pigs status, allowing the Cuban economy to enjoy US tourist dollars, and perhaps also some gambling dollars. Not that I think Cuba is ready to return to a Batista-like US-puppet government.

As I said I am in favor of lifting the embargo. Im in favor if at minimum giving it a try. If it helps and benefits both countries and most specifically the people in both countries then I say we need to move forward and let the past be the past. If I can have a German car in my garage the Cuban-Americans can let go of some of their frustration and grudge also.

I really think we will have to get rid of open ended asylum for Cubans though. Once the economy opens up and travel revs up, it can’t be as easy as being here you get papers. People from other countries trying to be legal in America already are disgusted by that policy now.

Uncle Sam is still smarting over being humiliated at the Bay of Pigs, that is why many logical things have never been done regarding Cuba.

…and then there’s GTMO!

Cuba will be overrun with Starbucks and Walmarts soon enough.

It’s interesting to see how some people seem to think American business will be in Cuba in very short order. Not just in Fluther, I mean in other discussions too.

Contact with American seems to subtly but profoundly change other cultures. We’re constantly bombarded with laments over ‘The Americanization of…”. How could it not be in America’s best interest to start the Americanization of Cuba? I’ve said this for decades, and even more so now that Russia is showing its ass in Ukraine?

Communist countries restrict access to America more than any other ideology. Why should America help them restrict access?