Ending The Cuba Travel Ban--A Strategy For Next Time

[Vogon_Glory]

For those of us across the political spectrum (from Marxist--Leninist to moderate-conservative Republican) wishing to see an end to the travel ban for American citizens wishing to visit Cuba, may I suggest a strategy for next time? How about tying in an amendment to each and every one of Tom DeLay's or George the Lesser's pet bills cutting the funding for enforcing this stupid ban. While it might not work as long as Arbustito is occupying the White House, it might work even better should a Democrat again be inresidence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and Democrats firmly in control of at least one House of Congress in 2005.

Yeah, yeah, I know I used the "R" word. I'm assuming that most Democrats want to see the travel ban to Cuba terminated.

[Mika]

1. The push to end the embargo is fronted by Repubs

Jeff Flake is heading up the repug group.

There are plenty of pro Batistano bought and paid off Dems on this issue.

chart from www.opensecrets.org

[Vogon_Glory]

2. I Did Write Most Democrats, Not All Of Them

I did write that I assumed MOST Democrats would support ending the travel restrictions. I didn't write that all of them would.

It should be interesting to see how strong pro-embargo political support will remain outside of right-wing exile strongholds in New Jersey and southern Florida and outside the Religious Right "bible belt" in the next few years.

I'm still betting that whatever happens in the next few years, thanks to exile intransigence and right wing ideologue-inspired diplomacy, Cuba will be far more oriented towards the European Union and with far stronger ties with Europe than with the US, even when the embargo ends.