Cuba, Dying?

[Noah]

Hey guys,

Recently one of my classmates went to Cuba.

He said Cuba was beautiful. He also said the people earn on average about 15 pesos a week and £1 is 1.5 pesos. But do the people in Cuba need the extra money, they get free education, food, medical needs and even free outings to museums and cinemas I hear?

Also my friend made the assertion socialism or communism as he calls it, is dying in Cuba.

Can anyone back this up, I was never aware of this, I though Cuba was holding well and if anything was doing well as a country. Is he wrong?

Cheers,
Noah.

[Orthodox Marxist]

they get free education, food, medical needs and even free outings to museums and cinemas I hear?

Also my friend made the assertion socialism or communism as he calls it, is dying in Cuba.


I have been to Cuba many times yes the cuban people do get a free education but the highest earning jobs in the cuban economy are tourist or those relating to tourism for this you need to speak english thus you would need to hire a private tutor (this costs money) the regular proffessors are not able to teach you what you need to know those who do not have this money but wish to learn english read and hang around the hotels in order to practice their english talking to us

The food is not the quality you or I would be used to for instance they drink powdered milk and are not allowed to eat cow it is illegal according to the goverment

Because of sanctions against Cuba medical equipment is hard to come by most of what they do have is out dated so they have to be inventive with many of their treatments

From my own observations and talks with those cubans who would discuss such matters with me there is an uncertanty whether communism will survive after Fidel Castro's death many Cubans that i talked to believe Communism has a shelf live of about another 10 years at best Raul just doesnt command the respect that Castro does many believe he will not be able to give the people stable and strong leadership

[Simotix]

Originally posted by Red Marxist [email protected] 14 2005, 07:09 PM
not allowed to eat cow it is illegal according to the goverment
It is? Is there a reason why it is 'illegal'?

[Comrada J]

As a Vegan, I find that law quite fascinating. As for Cuba's future, who knows what will happen. Hopefully it won't share USSR/Vietnam/China's fate and slowly become more capitalist after Fidel dies.

[visceroid]

Originally posted by exoity+Dec 15 2005, 04:19 AM--> (exoity @ Dec 15 2005, 04:19 AM)
Red Marxist [email protected] 14 2005, 07:09 PM
not allowed to eat cow it is illegal according to the goverment
It is? Is there a reason why it is 'illegal'? [/b]
i didnt know it was illegal, i thought it was rationed, as in legal as long as the government gives it to you or something

[Orthodox Marxist]

It is? Is there a reason why it is 'illegal'?

I believe it has to do with the milk that cows produce they use it for infants and cuba doesnt have a very large cow population (most of their cows you can actually see the bones they are very thin)