Case Study: Cuba

As healthcare reform continued to dominate the political maneuverings and current events here in the U.S., Congresswoman Diane Watson decided the issue was heading south, and accordingly urged fellow California Democrats to hearken the Cuban example. Watson recently accused conservative opposition of blocking Healthcare reform out of malicious racism, but conversely had only the best to say about the Cuban regime. After lauding Cuban healthcare, along with mass murderer Che Guevara, Watson, amidst applause and encouragement from fellow congressmen, described Fidel Castro as, “one of the brightest leaders I have ever met." Assuming Watson has met all of the foremost Democratic and Republican leaders alike, this is a particularly alarming mindset. Watson may not be aware that Castro himself ousted a man who was, like Obama, 50% black, but nonetheless the current administration may be taking Watson to heart.
In addition to lifting travel restrictions and allowing remittances to the island from Cuban-Americans, the U.S. and Cuba are now coordinating to resume uninhibited postal services. This should come as sharp relief to many Cubans, who for more than remittances are in desperate need of toilet paper. The cash strapped country, which imports 60% of its food supply (now being rationed) and approximately 80% of its toilet paper, does not have the financial resources to continue its foreign dependencies. Apart from decreasing the food ration, the only reassurance thus far issued by Castro’s government is that by state-run Radio Rebelde, which currently maintains that, “an important importation will be attained at the end of the year”. Raul Castro, who replaced his ailing older brother Fidel as president, also has complained that Cuba's productivity is too low, and to the wailing and gnashing of communist teeth he is putting more state-owned land in private hands and pushing for salaries to be based on productivity. With the global economic downturn, a particularly harsh hurricane season, and a tradition of being unproductive, the largest Caribbean island is in dire straits.
President Obama recently compared his Health Care schematic to the general Postal Service in the U.S—the government owned USPS running nicely alongside the private companies such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL. This was supposed to be an assuring example of cooperation between public and private sectors (though of course it’s still illegal for anyone but the USPS to go door-to-door). However, this may take on new meaning as UPS and FedEx are, and will still be, barred from business in Cuba, whereas the USPS going to be granted exclusive business access, in addition to German owned DHL. In the spirit of ornery rebellion therefore, and more importantly in the spirit of humanitarian aid for the Cubans and their constipated economy, conscientious and caring Americans should cover all Cuba-bound mail-planes/boats with toilet paper. With Castro initiating capitalist policies and Watson pushing to emulate Cuba, maybe a trade is in order (now that it’s possible). America can airmail Watson and some TP, as long as it’s USPS, and get some celebratory cigars.