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TIME Ideas politics Rand Paul: Cuba Isolationists Just Dont Get It T.J. KirkpatrickGetty Images; Rogelio V. Solis.AP

Paul is the junior U.S. Senator for Kentucky.

I grew up in a family that despised, not only communism, but collectivism, socialism and any ism that deprived the individual of his or her natural rights.

As a kid, I listened to the stories of an old Ukrainian fisherman who talked of fighting the Bolsheviks. More times than I can remember, Ive heard horror stories of those who fled Castros Cuba. I ran for office to fight for the individual and against statism of any kind anywhere and yet I think a policy of isolationism toward Cuba is misplaced and hasnt worked.

I support engagement, diplomacy, and trade with Cuba, China, Vietnam, and many countries with less than stellar human rights records, because I believe that once enslaved people taste freedom and see the products of capitalism they will become hungry for freedom themselves.

President George W. Bush wrote that trade creates the habits of freedom, and trade provides the seeds of freedom that begin to create the expectations of democracy. Once trade begins it is hard to hide the amazing products of capitalism. The Soviets used to produce documentaries depicting poverty in America but it backfired when Russian viewers noticed that even in the poorest of circumstances you could still see televisions flickering in the windows. Once trade is enhanced with Cuba, it will be impossible to hide the bounty that freedom provides.

The supporters of the embargo against Cuba speak with heated passion but fall strangely silent when asked how trade with Cuba is so different than trade with Russia or China or Vietnam.

It is an inconsistent and incoherent position to support trade with other communist countries, but not communist Cuba.

Even the supporters of the embargo agree that it has not worked. A policy of isolationism with Cuba and engagement with China and Vietnam does not make any sense. Communism cant survive the captivating allure of capitalism. Lets overwhelm the Castro regime with iPhones, iPads, American cars, and American ingenuity.

My familys opposition to communism was so fierce that when Nixon said the U.S. would trade with Red China our response was heated and passionately opposed. But over time my family and many conservatives came to believe that trade was better than war and more effective. While Chinas human rights record leaves much to be desired, our engagement and trade has without question helped to open Chinese society.

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Rand Paul: Cuba Isolationists Just Dont Get It