Cuba

While we decry communism in Cuba and its lack of freedoms, you might recall that under Baptista, until 1959 Havana was a bit of sin city for the rich foreigner who visited for their pleasures. Like many a Latin-American country then (and Mexico now) it was a few rich and many poor, uneducated peasants. Today, the literacy rate is rather good in comparison and medical care is improved as well. While communism does not work as an economic system, let us not think that oligarchy capitalism and government for the rich, that benefits the few is the answer. Let there be more freedom for all. Baptista was not willing to make a stand for "his" Cuba. He took his money and ran. When communism fails and goes its way, how do you keep a Baptista type from coming back? As the Godfather Michael Cordeleone might say, "He is good for business." The Cubans want more religious freedom. Baptista gave them plenty of that, as long as it was good for "his" business.