NationStates Jolt Archive

Hmm, that's interesting. You have been, to my knowledge, a Marxist-Leninist for as long as you've been on this forum, yet you don't subscribe to dialectical materialism. I find that very interesting, since you're the first Marxist-Leninist I've met to say as much.

No, I subscribe to historical materialism in the vein of class struggle, but not to the dialectics of the Hegelian type. For example, the bourgeois overthrew feudalism but it was not a 'natural' process, nor was it fully conscious, it was that the historical process took the form of the whole absolutist vs liberalism dichotomy, and was subject to the volitions of individuals claiming either side. I actually found that Leninism (and to a lesser extent Maoism) is all about practical processes for revolution, for cadre organization etc, and does not dither to the straitjacket of the spiritualist magical concept of dialectics.

No, because Marxism is a method.

That doesn't obviate the contradiction in the slightest.

First of all...I lol'd to myself when I saw someone not trolling and actually using the word "USian" as if it was a real word. :D

It communicates clearly the idea I wish to communicate.

Second of all...tales of Cuba's healthcare system are highly exaggerated.

You have successfully proven that Cuba could lie. You have not proven that Cuba does lie about its medical statistics. Please look at my previous posts for links to independent medical studies confirming Cuba's health care claims.

Not to mention:

A low salary for doctors does not mean that the health care system is bad.

http://www.jstor.org/view/00205850/di012387/01p0415v/0

If you'd like, here's an academic paper on the matter. Was I being lazy earlier? Yes, yes I was, but a quick google search provides some info.

Your link doesn't work.

I can't believe you're disputing that Cuba received substantial financial aid from the Soviet Union throughout its duration. That's somewhere between obvious and common knowledge.

I thought that too, until I realised how little information there is out there. So, I would appreciate a source. The wiki article is quite vague on anything except trade deals. Do you consider trade deals as support? Does that mean the USA was supporting pre-apartheid South Africa by continuing its trade deals with that country at that time?

The Cuban healthcare system has results comparable to the results of the American healthcare system (one that is dangerously flawed, I might add), but the methods by which are ethically questionable and bear a significant cost on the rest of society.

What are these questionable methods? What is this significant cost?

It's a reference to the content of this wikipedia article, one that is well sourced. Specifically take a look at the sections on black-market healthcare, criticisms and health tourism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_Cuba

I clicked on a few of the links. Many don't work. Others are links to 'Cuban-American' foundations with an axe to grind and no verifiable statistics. Others have viable criticisms about a lack of supplies, which is understandable during an embargo. Moreover, this 'lack of supplies' exists relative to health care systems in developed countries. It is understandable that Cuba has less resources to buy supllies than Canada or the USA. But it does far better than any other Caribbean nation.

Kid gloves and the restrictions of the Cold War. To refer to Cuba as a "third world" country is decidedly a misnomer, not only was it one of the most advanced countries in all of Latin America prior to the revolution. Further, the "third world" refers to members of the non-aligned movement, a movement of which Cuba was decidedly not a member.

Good thing I refered to it as a developing country and not a third world nation.

http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200001/cmselect/cmhealth/30/30ap91.htm

And the criticisms that I expressed also have value.

They do. Nice link, by the way. It seems to corroborate my experiences that Cuba is the only developing nation whose healthcare is comparable to the health care sytems of developed nations.

I have linked to evidence that access to the internet in Cuba is tightly controlled by the state, as the article I linked to evidenced, and that for us on NSG to gain ready access to someone from Cuba on our forum is impossible. The BBC has the resources and capability to go on the ground in Cuba, and interview people there. We do not.

You do realise that they have telephones in Cuba, and it is possible to call there from almost anywhere in the developed world, right?

Give that a dictatorship that supresses freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of movement and any political/social freedoms it deems "unrevolutionary",

If you are suggesting that this is the case for Cuba, please provide sources.

Like this:

Freedom of speech (http://library.thinkquest.org/18355/freedom_of_speech.html)

People in Cuba do not often speak out against the government. There are some who are not afraid to and do so. A taxi driver told us, "I don't want the President, I don't want the Government, I don't want the Revolution!"

Clearly he was not afraid of saying this, and there is no chance anyone would find out about it. If the government were to find out, it is doubtful anything would happen.


Freedom of religion in Cuba (http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items05/220905-2.html)

Born in Miathene, Kenya, in1947, and elected General Secretary of the WCC in 2003, Kobia affirmed that while on the island he had the opportunity to meet not only with followers of the member churches of his organization (Methodist and Presbyterian churches), but also with representatives of other churches, thus concluding that freedom of religion "is a reality in Cuba."
Kobia, the first African to hold such a high position, which he formally assumed in January 2004, became the leader of an organization that groups over 400 million Christians the world over. It was in that capacity that he visited Cuba.

Freedom of movement (http://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/cuba1005/4.htm)

Cuba’s practice of denying exit or entrance visas to its citizens undermines its citizens’ right to leave and return as established in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as their right to family unity. Cuba’s international obligation to respect the Universal Declaration stems from the fact that the UDHR is widely recognized as customary international law, constituting a basic yardstick by which to measure any country’s human rights performance.

U.S. restrictions on family-related travel also impair family unity and undermine the right of Cubans and Cuban Americans to return to their own country.201 Like Cuba, the United States is bound to respect the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration. And unlike Cuba, the United States has ratified the ICCPR and therefore has an obligation to pursue policies that promote the rights that the Covenant recognizes. Yet, because the U.S. has failed to recognize that its travel restrictions infringe upon rights, not simply privileges, successive U.S. administrations have felt free to tighten or loosen restrictions as a matter of political discretion.


you'd be wanting exactly what the Yanks AND the Cubans want..... a change in government.

IF we are tlaking about what the Cuban governemnt and not what "the Cubans" want...then that's another story..

Since you seem to be unaware of the Cuban reality, it would logically follow that you are equally ignorant of what Cubans want.

Nice conservative number there sport.

The actual number is closer to 638. Linky. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/aug/03/cuba.duncancampbell2)

I just hope that Cuba doesn't commit too radical changes and let US companies run amok on the island. This liberalisation just ends up bringing high income disparity and corruption into Cuba. And besides I find it amusing that the United States of America tries to promote democracy as they have a two party system (only cosmetic changes in elections). Freely expanding capitalism will just destroy the country socially although it may help it economically. Minor reforms will do the trick best for Cuba. Otherwise it's guerilla war all over the island!!! :mp5::mp5:

Do not bring this argument on this forum again.

I am tired to say the same thing, defending that the correct translation from spanish to english of their nationality is "United Stater", and not "American". Although they defend the point that the correct word is "American", and not "United Stater", and that the latter term is somewhat...offensive, (I don't know why), they do not have any problem in "advise" the "hispanics" to say "Americanos" as the US nationality in spanish.

However, I concede a point, as in english "Alemán" is "German" and not "Allemand", I think all the germans here could bash us both for not calling them "Deutsch" in our both respective languages.

Drop the argument, however, as you might summon a moderator swinging a banhammer...

In no way do I think I offended you or anyone with my post, I was pointing out something. But I will drop the argument. I have my opinions, just like everyone alse.:)

Cuban government official are experts on Democratic elections. They just had Cuban National Assembly elections. Which according to the Cuban government 96 % percent of all elegible voters voted. 04 % were to busy traveling around the nation, too busy or too sick to vote. 91 % percent voted for The United Vote Block Option, that is for all 614 pro government candidates out of 614 candidates. 05 % percent voted only for thier winning district candidate, 01.04 % percent blank ballots, 03.73 % percent voted for more than one candidate but some how made irregularities on the ballot and the ballots had to be annulled.

A few years ago after former Cuban political prisoner Oswaldo Paya's Varela Project organization collected over 10,000, then over 20,000 petitions. Calling for a referendum on economic, political multy party election reforms. As allowed for under the Cuban Constitution. Delivered to the National Assembly.

Fidel called for a Constitunional Amendment petition referendum to declare the nations, economic, political and social system irrevocable. Which according to the Cuban government 99 percent of all elegible voters supported, no one opposed. There was only one petition choice to vote for. Passed by the National Assembly Parliment all members for none against.

Now that is what I call real democratic election results.

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While Fidel has in effect resigned as President. He was still officially elected to the National Assembly Parliment by 98.30 % percent of the vote in his district. So he might be elected to some other office post. Where he will be the power behind the power. Either way the power behind the power. And nothing officially changes. Fidel has still not resigned as First Secretary of the Central Committe of the Cuban Communist Party.

As he states he will continue to write in Granma and offer his advice and experiences. But yet never be seen in public again? Just in government videos?

Fidel has still not been seen in public for almost 2 years now. Therefore the possibility that he is too sick to be seen in public, senile or is already dead.

I expect alot of propaganda of real changes, and no real changes at all. More of the same.

Raul Castro was elected to National Assembly by 99.40 % percent of the vote in his district.

From The Boston Globe :
Raul Castro pips Fidel Castro in vote count. January 30, 2008
HAVANA (Reuters) - It may be a sign of the times: ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro was pipped at the polls by his brother and designated successor Raul Castro, according to parliamentary election results published on Wednesday.

more stories like thisThere were no surprises when Cubans ratified a single list of 614 candidates for the same number of seats in the National Assembly on Jan 20.

Fidel Castro, who has not appeared in public since he was sidelined by stomach surgery 18 months ago, got 98.3 percent of the votes cast in the district he represents in Santiago, Cuba's second city.

But acting President Raul Castro won 99.4 percent of the ballots cast in his district in the same eastern province. It was the highest percentage in the country.

Cuba, one of the few communist states left in the world, faces a decisive moment on February 24, when the National Assembly must clarify whether Fidel Castro will continue as head of state or retire after almost half a century at the helm.

Emergency intestinal surgery for an undisclosed illness forced Castro, 81, to hand over the running of the government to his brother in July 2006 for the first time since he took power in a 1959 revolution.

He has only been seen in video and photographs since then, looking gaunt and frail.

Castro left his options open by again standing as a candidate for the National Assembly, but he recently hinted in a newspaper column that he might step down as head of state.

Voting is not obligatory in Cuba, although Cubans are expected to turn out to show their support for the one-party political system, and 96.9 percent of voters did so in this month's election.

(Reporting by Anthony Boadle)

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I dont trust the Democrats. I have never heard until now election time any Democrat say, full USA Cuba relations with conditions on releasing all Cuban political prisoners withinn Cuba not exile. Full USA Cuba relations on conditions of multy party elections in Cuba. The same policy as practiced by the European Union with political dialogue.

While I have heard the European Union Call for releasing Cuban politcal prisoners, for economic and multy party election reforms in Cuba before. While trading and investing in Cuba with political dialogue. The Cuban government has not done so. So I consider that a failed policy also.

I cannot beleive that European Union leaders ever believed that Fidel Castro would release all Cuban political prisoners and allow multi party elections. While they were trading, investing and having political dialogue with Cuban government under President Fidel. To achieve those goals.

Time will tell if it works with Raul. I could have added options 9 & 10 to the Public Poll to make it perfect.

9. Do you support full USA Cuba relations with President Raul under Cuba democratic reforms?

10. Do you support full USA Cuba relations with President Raul without any democratic reforms, as is?

I dont trust Hillary. And President Bill Clinton betrayed Cuban Americans with Elian Gonzalez. For which Al Gore paid the price on election night. So I dont trust Hillary's statement now.

Excerps from :

Clinton: Obama 'change you can Xerox' By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent
17 minutes ago.

They disagreed on the proper response to a change in government in Cuba in the wake of Fidel Castro's resignation. Clinton said she would refuse to sit down with incoming President Raul Castro until he implements political and economic reforms. Obama said he would meet "without preconditions," but added the U.S. agenda for such a session would include human rights in the Communist island nation

La Habana Cuba is still in shock. Someone get me a straight jacket. Someone post me a straight jacket. I am having a nervous breakdown. lol. I have taken an overdose of tranqualizers. La Habana Cuba is in stable condition at best.

As I stated before what shocked me was not that he resigned. What shocked me was, I was expecting either he be elected or resigned around feb 24-08. I was not ready for it. And had to think of the Public Poll questions fast. As I wanted to be the first one on NS to make a thread on the subject. As I was.

the status quo will be maintained by the party. I think that Castro obviously was a monarch for a long time, but the last few years he had little if any effect on the day to day decisions.

It amuses me that Cuban exiles act as if they would be welcomed back to Cuba with open arms, and that the real Cubans, the ones who didn't flee for selfish reasons, wouldn't view them as traitors to the country. In actual fact the most likely thing is that the returning exiles would be lined up and shot like any other common traitor. As Castro has said, 'they have no embraced the spirit of the revolution, we do not want them, we do not need them', capitalists and bourgeois traitors only leech as social parasites leeching off the labor of the workers. They are a drain and a rabble of troublemakers, leave them in Florida so they can continue what they do best: drugs, crime and murder.

It amuses me that Cuban exiles act as if they would be welcomed back to Cuba with open arms, and that the real Cubans, the ones who didn't flee for selfish reasons, wouldn't view them as traitors to the country. In actual fact the most likely thing is that the returning exiles would be

leave them in Florida so they can continue what they do best: drugs, crime and murder.

Andaras, their are over 2,000,000 million Cuban exiles all over the world who were once Cuban Citizens under Fidel. Including recent balseros. According to the USA Interest section in Havana 1,500,000 Cuban citizens in Cuba have solicited USA imigration visas to the USA since the last emigration accord between the USA and Cuban government.

According to the Spanish government of Spain. Over 3,000,000 million Cubans in Cuba have requested Imigration visas to spain the mother country.

Spain is giving exit immigration visas to Spain to Cuban citizens of direct Spaniard descent. In the last few years 40,000 have emigrated to Spain.

Cuban Americans send family remittances $ to thier family's in Cuba, care packages, letters, make phone calls, and visit, receive visits in the USA from Cuban family members in Cuba.

Sorry I dont provide the appropriate links on such short notice, I will try.

I dont think you would call persons who disagree with your views as traitors and have them:

lined up and shot like any other common traitor. As Castro has said, 'they have no embraced the spirit of the revolution, we do not want them, we do not need them', capitalists and bourgeois traitors only leech as social parasites leeching off the labor of the workers. They are a drain and a rabble of troublemakers

Or would you?

I dont think you would call persons who disagree with your views as traitors and have them:

lined up and shot like any other common traitor.

Actually, he calls people who disagree with his views bourgeois and that they should be lined up and shot.

I find it ironic that he does this, including rants that private property is a crime punishable by death, and then goes on to play on his privately owned Xbox 360, or post on NSG with his privately owned computer.

Actually, he calls people who disagree with his views bourgeois and that they should be lined up and shot.

I find it ironic that he does this, including rants that private property is a crime punishable by death, and then goes on to play on his privately owned Xbox 360, or post on NSG with his privately owned computer.

Actually no, my Xbox and computer were nationalized after the revolution Last Thursday, feel free to stop by an collectively play 2-player Halo 3 if you like;)