It's Time To Normalize Relations With Cuba

(This map of Cuba is from embassyworld.com.)

I have written before about how I think U.S. policy toward Cuba is stupid and should be changed. The Cuban people don't want to be our enemy, and neither does the Cuban government. They just want to chart their own course without interference from the U.S. government or the giant U.S. corporations -- and there is no reason we shouldn't allow them to do that, and still be their friend. After all, the kind of government or society they have is none of our business -- no more than our government or society is any of their business.

The current policy, which has been in effect for over 50 years, has been a dismal failure. It is time to end it, and re-establish normal relations with that island nation. Other nations have abandoned the shunning and embargo of Cuba, and the other countries of the Americas have asked us to do the same. It simply no longer makes any sense to continue trying to isolate Cuba -- especially since our policy is only isolating them from us (and not anyone else).

Fortunately, the American people are beginning to see the folly of continuing this failed policy -- even if our government does not. This is shown by a recent survey done by the YouGov Poll. The survey was done between April 5th and 7th of a national sample of 1,000 adults, with a margin of error of 4.2 points. Note that a majority of Americans think we should re-establish diplomatic relations. They also think Americans should be able to travel to Cuba, buy Cuban products, and send money to Cuban citizens.