TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross
5e7f52aee502c21e1f0f6a7067004b84.jpg
The government has ruled that Cubans can rent out rooms, open restaurants, drive tourists around in a spotless 1960 Buick for a fee, which means the economy should improve. (AP Photo/File)

Now HERE's REAL socialism

BY Dave Ross  on March 21, 2013 @ 6:05 am (Updated: 11:14 am - 3/21/13 )

Having heard so much debate about socialism, I decided to visit the most unrepentant socialist country I could, which is why I wrote this to you from the center of Havana, Cuba.

Check out Dave's vacation photos

It's not easy to get here legally by the way. The U.S. government insists that Americans take an expensive chartered flight in an unmarked plane from Miami, and be part of a cultural exchange, which means you can't just sip mojitos on the beach, you must hold pre-arranged meetings with various cultural groups. Which is fine because it's kept us sober and helped us understand that even though most Cubans live in conditions no American would tolerate - except maybe on a camping trip -- Cuba is not some kind of prison.

We got into a debate with an artist who makes the equivalent of $30 a month on his state salary - he knows his country is poor.

"Yes, we know that. But it's going to be better. Yes we know," he said.

Yes, life is tough here, Cubans will tell you, but at least we are all educated, we all get health care, we all get a food ration and you can be happy.

Said another Cuban, "I am happy to be here and know that my kids are at their school safe. That is another kind of happiness."

It's not just about having a lot of stuff. Although it now turns out that socialism DOES have room for private enterprise.

The government has ruled that Cubans can rent out rooms, open restaurants, drive tourists around in a spotless 1960 Buick for a fee, which means the economy should improve. But it also means that little by little, some Cubans are going to be more equal than others.

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
More Dave Ross

MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (40)


  • Add A Comment

  • mnpat wrote...
    You just traveled through time
    March 21, 2013 5:43 am
    And had a good look at where America is headed in 30 years.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Here's a question back at you, Dave -----
    March 21, 2013 5:49 am
    Maybe they are only for show and for tourists, BUT if 'every other country in the world' - except the USA - trades with Cuba, why are all the cars 1960 Detroit made? ....... You'd think there might be a Toyota or two, or one heck of a lot of VW bugs, like they still make in Mexico.

    UNLESS social equality, trade with the rest of the world (and the right to travel abroad) mean nothing when all you'll ever have is a $30 per month state allowance. .... No matter what extra pittance you might get showing off your Desoto to tourists.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zagnut wrote...
    "But it also means that little by little, some Cubans are going to be more equal than others."
    March 21, 2013 5:54 am
    And that is a problem for you, isn't it Dave? Better that EVERYONE live in squalor than have a small percentage live in squalor while the vast majority climb the economic latter.

    What a pathetic economic viewpoint.

    GO ZAGS!!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    How long before we Americans are seeing regime mandated public portraits of
    March 21, 2013 5:58 am
    The Dear Leader king Obama????
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Keitho wrote...
    Socialism
    March 21, 2013 6:02 am
    Where would there be communism then? "more equal than others" sure looks a lot better than the gutter for everyone
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    Some Cubans already are more equal than others
    March 21, 2013 6:02 am
    the ruling elite....just as it is here.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fisher wrote...
    Nice Buick!
    March 21, 2013 6:19 am
    .
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    That "1960 Buick"
    March 21, 2013 6:28 am
    Is a '52 or so Chevy.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Dave played with vacuum tubes as a kid.
    March 21, 2013 6:32 am
    No time to play the year, make and model game.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fisher wrote...
    Looks like a Buick grille and hood ornament with
    March 21, 2013 6:53 am
    a Chevrolet insignia on the front of the hood. I really don't know though, not being a motor head.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    So.....just a little bit of socialism for you then Dave?
    March 21, 2013 6:42 am
    Just like "just a little bit" of genocide by your other favorite dictators?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    "Cuba is not some kind of prison." say's Dave
    March 21, 2013 6:51 am
    So, not being able to move freely from place to place....like off the island is not considered some type of prison to you socialist types?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    mnpat Cubans are now free to travel off the island
    March 21, 2013 7:07 am
    you might want to revise your rhetoric.

    In January of this year, Cuba officially discontinued the "exit Visa" program.

    In fact, they encourage dissidents and people who are unhappy in Cuba to leave. They have done so for several years.

    What changed in January, supposedly, is that the dissidents who leave the island are now "supposedly" allowed to return again.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zoeller wrote...
    Yes Chuck: the dissidents who leave the island are now "supposedly" allowed to return again.
    March 21, 2013 7:17 am
    Just as long as they return in (Permanent Shackles.)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    I acknowledge your post Chuck however.....
    March 21, 2013 8:13 am
    Cuba observers and foreign governments have been waiting to see how the government implements the law to gauge its effect. The measure contains language that lets the government deny travel in cases of "national security" and one key test of the law will be whether authorities allow exits in sensitive cases such as military officers, scientists, and world-class athletes.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }