House rejects easing exports-to-Cuba limits

Source: Miami Herald

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"The House on Friday rejected an initiative to ease restrictions on U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba, virtually burying any chance that U.S. policy toward the island could be relaxed by Congress this year.

By a 245-182 margin, the House voted down an amendnment presented by Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., that would have allowed Cuban officials to travel to the United States to inspect U.S. export facilities and products and let Cubans make direct payments to U.S. banks for any purchases.

The initiative would have also allowed the Cubans to pay for the goods after they are shipped from a U.S. port, rather than before as now required.

Rangel's initiative was backed by a coalition of mostly Democratic opponents to U.S. policies toward Cuba and farm-state Republicans, but opposed by Cuban-American lawmakers and others."



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/416/story/184520.html

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CONG. RANGEL UNVEILS BILL TO EASE TRAVEL AND TRADE EMBARGO ON CUBA

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ny15_rangel/CubaAgBill.html

We have to stop the Republican mindset on international relations. The Cold War is over, communism is dead. Cuba is not our mortal enemy.

IMO the House members were not acting on an antiquated mindset. Rather, a unspoken desire to keep the Florda Cubans voting for the Democratic Candidates

...why are we so afraid of Cuba?

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll749.xml

California Dems Schiff and Baca said "no." Unsurprising indeed. There are two foreign policy factions, and the backward dominationist majority faction is comprised of 90% of the GOP and 30% of the Democrats.

A weather vane for testing the heart, to me. Just me, so don't get mad. Anyone who says they are for freedom, justice, peace, etc. and holds approval of US policiy towards Cuba is a phony, IMHO.

Politicians on both sides of this issue, a mixed group of repugs and dems, benefit from the status quo.

The anti Cuba politicians get much money from the various interests that want to keep Cuba and the US from normalizing relations (and trade/travel).

The pro trade w/Cuba politicians get much money from the various interests that want to do biz in/with Cuba.

Ending the sanctions/embargo eliminates a cash cow for political campaigns on both side of the issue.

That's why the standoff remains.


A great case in point as to the need for a complete campaign financing overhaul.

These ridiculous laws make the products they buy cost 2 or 3 times the real price.