| For the first time in nearly fifty years the United States | | | | including the American Farm Bureau Federation, |
| has an opportunity to normalize relations with Cuba. | | | | Business Roundtable, US Chamber of Commerce, |
| The inauguration of President Barack Obama offers | | | | National Retail Federation and Grocery Manufacturers |
| the chance for a clean break with the policies that | | | | Association have called for an end to the embargo. |
| have separated the US from our closest Caribbean | | | | Currently only certain agricultural and medical products |
| neighbor. | | | | are exempt from the embargo. |
| The Cuban people have suffered under the rule of | | | | The US economy will be greatly affected by ending |
| Fidel Castro and living in a time warp where little has | | | | the Cuban embargo in a very positive way. At a time |
| changed since the Communist leader lead the | | | | when the US economy needs it most, we would enter |
| revolution and ousted Batista in 1959. Cars from the | | | | a nearby market that has nearly 11.5 million people and |
| 50's held together by rope and human ingenuity, | | | | nearly 43,000 square miles. |
| buildings deteriorate an decaying and revolutionary | | | | Our recession battered construction industries would |
| slogans painted on the walls make Cuba a land that | | | | also benefit greatly as engineers, carpenters and skilled |
| time has forgotten. | | | | laborers could help the Cuban people rebuild their |
| The embargo itself was initiated by Robert F. Kennedy | | | | country. Building supply industries would start |
| in 1962 after Fidel Castro took control of the country | | | | manufacturing again and natural resources would be |
| and he nationalized the economy. The embargo has | | | | consumed. |
| been in place since and has failed in its efforts to | | | | Travel industry segments such as cruise lines and |
| initiate an overthrow of Fidel Castro. The embargo has | | | | airlines would prosper as tourists explored this beautiful |
| been supported by the Cuban-American community of | | | | country. Port would be rebuilt, airports would be |
| South Florida for many years, however recent polling | | | | improved and hotels constructed, all with the help of |
| suggests this is changing. | | | | US industries. |
| By ending the Cuban embargo, President Obama has | | | | Cuba also appears to have a large expanse of |
| the opportunity to help both the Cuban and American | | | | untapped oil resources. China and Venezuela would |
| people. By allowing travel to the island nation, Cubans | | | | like to tie those resources up for themselves which |
| can get a taste of the freedoms we as Americans | | | | would not only cut the US market from the oil, but |
| take for granted. Cubans will be exposed to our | | | | could create the opportunity for an Eco disaster for |
| fashion, music and technology which will stimulate a | | | | the Caribbean and Southeastern United States. |
| desire for freedom and personal wealth. | | | | Politically, ending the Cuban embargo just makes |
| Travel to Cuba will also generate much needed dollars | | | | sense, Russia is looking to Cuba to establish a |
| for the Caribbean Nation which was devastated by | | | | Caribbean presence. Since the demise of the old |
| four hurricanes last year. | | | | Soviet Empire, Russian influence in Cuba has waned. |
| The European Union has already ended their embargo | | | | But in December of 08, Russia sent three warships to |
| and recently the United Nations, in a 183-3 vote, called | | | | visit the island nation. In January Raoul Castro visited |
| for an end to the embargo worldwide. | | | | Russia to seek trade and money. Be assured that |
| Many US business groups have been advocating the | | | | Russia would like to expand their presence in the |
| end of the embargo as well. Many business groups | | | | region and this is a great opportunity to do so. |