In 1959, my father\u2019s parents lost everything they owned when Fidel Castro took over Cuba and implemented communism.\u00a0 For quite some time, many in the world collectively questioned the sanity of Castro\u2019s actions; it took us to the brink of mass annihilation by way of a near nuclear war.\u00a0 Still, Castro persisted.<\/p>\n
Many free men turned a blind eye on the atrocities Castro imposed on many of the Cuban people.\u00a0 Those who possessed the courage to speak out against the Cuban government\u2019s inhumane actions, Castro crushed.\u00a0 He started squeezing the life out of his countrymen under the guise of communism.\u00a0 Castro and his higher ranking party members enjoyed the prosperity of the island at the cost of the common people.<\/p>\n
Under his regime, everyone in Cuba was entitled to a free education.\u00a0 Michael Moore traveled to the island nation to film and document the \u201cwonderful\u201d health care program every Cuban \u201cenjoyed.\u201d\u00a0 Unfortunately, a free education does not fill one\u2019s belly; it may satisfy the mind but does not nourish the body.<\/p>\n
Regarding Moore and his documentation of Cuban health care, his cameras captured only footage of the facilities the Cuban government wanted the world to see.\u00a0 The world ignored the work of many humanitarians, religious workers, and independent journalists while paying homage to Moore, the liberal press, and other powerful and well funded interest groups.<\/p>\n
For whatever reason, many of the elite bought into the idea Castro was not such an evil person and his ideas would eventually work on the island nation.\u00a0 They stood by, idly watching, while the Cuban people suffered.\u00a0 According to Castro the system would work.\u00a0 He believed it, year after year after year.\u00a0 Then the years turned into decades.<\/p>\n
Oddly, it never got better.<\/p>\n
And me, I am a unique witness.<\/p>\n
I was in Havana during the city\u2019s glory days.\u00a0 I am one who saw the opulence of the Caribbean jewel.\u00a0 I can remember the beaches, the casinos, the hotels, the city streets, all the new cars, and the excitement and vitality of the ancient city.<\/p>\n
Later in my life, 23 years to be precise, I also served on the other end of the island at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.\u00a0 On that side of the island, there were no casinos, hotels, or brand new cars.\u00a0 Life was very different compared to the affluence of Havana.\u00a0 It was quite austere.<\/p>\n
However, like Guantanamo, all of the prosperity and richness of Havana from the 1950s is gone, as it is throughout the entire island.<\/p>\n
In Europe, nations across the continent are abandoning communism and socialism.\u00a0 They are turning to capitalism as quickly as possible.\u00a0 The people of the former communist bloc nations are grasping the concepts of free enterprise as a lifeline.\u00a0 And their governments are embracing this.\u00a0 Why?<\/p>\n
Communism and socialism do not work.\u00a0 Like many things, on paper it is a great idea, but in real life, it just doesn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n
A man who has promise of making a better life for his children and his children\u2019s children will work very hard to attain those dreams.\u00a0 On the other hand, if he cannot provide more for his family through his hard work, he will only do what is necessary to get by.\u00a0 As a consequence, there is no economic growth, there is no increase in tax revenues for the country, and there is no hope.<\/p>\n
It took Castro only 51 years to figure this out.<\/p>\n
-30-<\/p>\n
\u00a9 2010 J. Clark<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In 1959, my father\u2019s parents lost everything they owned when Fidel Castro took over Cuba and implemented communism.\u00a0 For quite some time, many in the world collectively questioned the sanity of Castro\u2019s actions; it took us to the brink of … Continue reading