| Media Search: |
Lets Play: Democracy 3 : United States : [Part 6]
This is my first lets play of Democracy 3. I am playing as the United States and trying to please the people in my first term. I plan on having this as a full series. If you want me to continue...
By: shellgaming15
The rest is here:
Lets Play: Democracy 3 : United States : [Part 6] - Video
Today #39;s News on LIVE TV - Democracy Now | December 19
LIVE TELEVISION NETWORK presents Democracy Now - A daily, global, independent news hour anchored by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. Democracy Now! presents ...
By: LIVE Television Network
Read this article:
Today's News on LIVE TV - Democracy Now | December 19 - Video
'If Cuba establishes democracy while maintaining the grand achievements of the revolution it could become a beacon for those who desire an alternative once again.' Photograph: Enrique De La Osa/Reuters
The US embargo against Cuba is nothing less than an act of vindictiveness and spite; the fact it is finally crumbling will alleviate the suffering of millions of Cubans. Its just another concession to a tyranny, wails Republican senator Marco Rubio. Such politicians risk drowning in their own hypocrisy: their selective interest in human rights does not extend to imposing an embargo against Saudi Arabia, a vicious, woman-oppressing tyranny that decapitates people for being gay or sorcerers. Despite sending tens of thousands of American soldiers to die (and killing countless civilians) in Vietnam, the US normalised ties with the ostensibly Communist-ruled south-east Asian nation in the 1990s. So why not Cuba?
But heres a quid pro quo. Now this long-lasting foreign policy outrage is finally having a rendezvous with common sense, opponents of the embargo need to talk a lot more loudly about democracy in Cuba. Yes, the Cuban revolution has delivered many achievements that have transformed lives: they are all the more the impressive given the nation has been embargoed by a global superpower located 90 miles away for so many decades. Its healthcare system is recognised by the World Health Organisation as one of the worlds finest. Its life expectancy is roughly the same as that of the United States. The island sends tens of thousands of doctors abroad to save lives in developing nations. It has one of the highest literacy rates in the world. It is a pioneer of sustainable development and a keen promoter of urban agriculture, or organopnicos. All of these are examples that nations rich and poor can and should learn from.
And yes, the revolution overthrew a human rights-abusing US-backed dictator, Fulgencio Batista, who presided over corruption, gangsterism and chronic social and economic injustice. But that was 55 years ago. Yes, Cuba was spared the horrors of the US-backed regimes in Latin America that disappeared thousands and threw political dissidents out of helicopters. But with the glaring exception of Colombia the sordid era of US-backed brutality in Latin America is at an end, thanks to progressive governments that promote social justice as well as democracy. They have lifted 56 million people out of poverty this millennium, and have done so without imposing a dictatorship.
Cubas human rights have been steadily improving: as Human Rights Watch arch-critics of the Cuban regime have put it, the government has released dozens of political prisoners (although they now face exile), and punitive prison sentences and draconian travel restrictions are being relaxed. But it is not good enough. Cuba is not a nation where the people can freely determine who represents them. Freedom of speech is curtailed, as is a free media. Social and economic rights are not compensation for political rights; they should complement each other.
There were many dictatorships that called themselves socialist in the 20th century: almost all fell, and their lasting contribution has been to sully the cause of socialism. Democracy is a universal right, not something that only some peoples or some cultures deserve. Having an exceptional healthcare and education system, or defying a concerted attack by a global superpower, does not mean being let off the hook when it comes to allowing your people to vote for whoever they want. Supporters of the Castros have long argued that a transition to democracy is made impossible by US hostility. Well, that excuse may now disappear. If Cuba establishes democracy while maintaining the grand achievements of the revolution it could become a beacon for those who desire an alternative once again. But those who defend the political status quo in Cuba do a disservice to both democracy and to socialism. The embargo is disappearing; so, too, must dictatorship.
Go here to read the rest:
The US embargo is disappearing; so, too, must Cubas dictatorship
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.
Follow this link:
Rand Paul: Cuba Isolationists Just Dont Get It
Reflections on Communism, Capitalism, and Socialism
Searching for an equitable system of governance so that the extremes of wealth and poverty would dissipate and human dignity is restored.
By: iraj khodadoost
Read more:
Reflections on Communism, Capitalism, and Socialism - Video