Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim727
Cuba: interacts with the U.S. from the media and propaganda.
China: interacts with the U.S. because of business interests and the gov'ts need to do something for the economy, etc.
The difference is the source of information and personal interest. Assume Coca-Cola opened a plant in Cuba. They need sugar - the cheaper the better - and Cuba can provide it. When Cubans are getting their paychecks (sustenance) from a U.S. company their interests change and their demands and behavior change. The gov't has an interest in some stability by not pulling the plug on the job and cash-flow stream.
Being a client state is not sufficient difference. I have also spent lots of time in the "other" side of the Iron Curtain. You are on-target about their sense of humor and appreciation of change, but they can also provide a model for how Cuba could develop differently if we would change our methods.
Are corporate and government's interests necessarily different? No - but I think they are becoming increasingly so.
Jim
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sorry Jim, but it already happened, and the Cuban Government keeps a tight reign on it. I'm not trying to defend/take sides, but a guy I worked for while in college lost everything (taken from him, lucky to get out alive) told me some stories. This man, luck to be alive when he got to the USA, build a business (legal, not drugs) empire starting with nothing but hard work. I also have other friends who happen to be Cuban who travel back once a year (yes, it is legal, I can't figure it out either, but I like my cigars) and I get their incite (one that there is no way that I could have, or anyone not in their shoes) and it really is the most confusing thing that I know of,
no you can't do this, but you can do this, they are our enemy, yet we have a base ther
From what I'm told, the Cuban government keeps a tight grip on everything, and limits what outsiders can see. I honestly have no answer, I know that I have seen & been told, some say yes to the US stance, others no, but my friends still say their families are very limited by the government
I know this doesn't answer any questions, but it is what I know(don't know)