Obama Gives Struggling Trade Embargo With Cuba One More Year to Show Results

Nick Gillespie | September 15, 2009

Yet another way that President Obama is giving George W. Bush a third term:

US President Barack Obama has extended the 47-year-old trade embargo against Cuba for another year.

In a statement, Mr Obama said that it was in the US national interest to extend the Trading With The Enemy Act which covers the trade embargo.

It is largely a symbolic step because the final decision rests with Congress.

Obama has lifted some restrictions on visiting family in and sending remittances to Castro's island prison, but on the big picture, no change. More here.

In 2008, Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) spelled out a proper policy regarding Cuba: The United States should allow its citizens to travel and trade with whomever they want. Not only would that be the right thing to do for Americans, it would do far more to bring freedom to Cubans. Watch below and go here for more with Flake and downloadable versions.

Comments

Bingo|9.15.09 @ 7:15PM|#

Wait, what? I thought they were looking to thaw this relationship. WTF is going on with this administration?

Bingo|9.15.09 @ 7:22PM|#

"Hrm, things aren't looking too great and my popular support has been tanking. Well, W got elected to two terms, maybe if I just do the exact same thing he did..."

Invisible Finger|9.15.09 @ 7:35PM|#

After a year, Obama will allow travel to Cuba, but only for health care.

|9.15.09 @ 7:41PM|#

The embargo is Obama's now. Let's form a line and take a number to say "hope and change".

-jcr

|9.15.09 @ 7:43PM|#

Unfortunately, rep. Flake didn't raise the question of just what constitutional authority exists that allows the federal government to impose any restrictions on where we can travel.

-jcr

jsis|9.15.09 @ 8:35PM|#

Meanwhile can we also demand a repeal of sanctions against, Iran, Northkorea & burma

|9.15.09 @ 9:16PM|#

#1 Reason to Allow Americans to Travel to Cuba:

Think of all the pissed off Europeans who would have to find a new vacation spot to avoid seeing fat Americans on the beach.

Anonymous|9.15.09 @ 9:21PM|#

Think of all the pissed off Europeans who would have to find a new vacation spot to avoid seeing fat Americans on the beach.

The way things are going, we're all going to be just as emaciated as Cubans by the time trade is opened.

|9.15.09 @ 9:34PM|#

I really want some anti-free trade pro communist cube idiot to post about how the US's embargo is killing Cuba's economy....that is always a hoot.

|9.15.09 @ 9:59PM|#

Not only would that be the right thing to do for Americans, it would do far more to bring freedom to Cubans.

And access to 14 year-old Cuban hookers, always a crowd-pleaser.

Silentz|9.15.09 @ 11:32PM|#

"And access to 14 year-old Cuban hookers, always a crowd-pleaser."

So you work for ACORN?

|9.15.09 @ 11:52PM|#

It's so sad that amerikkkans have allowed our crony-capitalist government to destroy Cuba's economy

|9.15.09 @ 11:55PM|#

I am a little bit surprised that Obama is doing this.

Didn't he win the election without Florida's vote? Seriously, aren't the only people who passionately care about the embargo in Cuba?

For goodness sakes, even Rush Limbaugh is in favor of dropping the embargo.

Any Obama voters on this board who can explain the Messiah's actions?

|9.16.09 @ 12:59AM|#

Any Obama voters on this board who can explain the Messiah's actions?

The Messiah he has a secret plan and we must trust him.

|9.16.09 @ 6:50AM|#

It's so sad that amerikkkans have allowed our crony-capitalist government to destroy Cuba's economy

We've done nothing of the kind. Cuba's economy was destroyed by Castro's persecution of anyone who deviated from his pig-ignorant stalinist policies.

-jcr

db|9.16.09 @ 7:24AM|#

Obama's just looking to keep this one in his back pocket in case the Dems need a pre-election boost next year he himself does in 2012. Ending the embargo right before an election could help turn Florida his way if he's in electoral trouble there in '12.

db|9.16.09 @ 7:25AM|#

er, "...next year, or he himself does..."

Alan|9.16.09 @ 8:27AM|#

Hello? People, trading with Cuba would Steal American Jobs! Duh. The Mexicans already do so much of that we can't have another buncha dirty spanish people doing more of it. The American Worker just can't take it.

J_B|9.16.09 @ 10:14AM|#

Perhaps the embargo is worth ending, but a flood of American tourists onto Cuban beaches will not hasten the end of communism on the island. Internal pressure from the populace and within the government are the most effective means of toppling communism as demonstrated by examples from Eastern Europe and other former communist strongholds.

Let's be honest about the reasons for its removal, and what history has shown us regarding regime change.

Anonymous|9.16.09 @ 1:42PM|#

The thing about having access to Cuba is that it will be harder to hide deplorable conditions caused by its government.

The thing about Cuba having access to us is that it will be harder to turn people rowing for their life away, at least politically.