Cuban leader applauds US health-care reform

[AROCES]

Paul Haven, Associated Press Writer, On Thursday March 25, 2010, 12:39 pm EDT HAVANA (AP) -- It perhaps was not the endorsement President Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress were looking for.

Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Thursday declared passage of American health care reform "a miracle" and a major victory for Obama's presidency, but couldn't help chide the United States for taking so long to enact what communist Cuba achieved decades ago.

"We consider health reform to have been an important battle and a success of his (Obama's) government," Castro wrote in an essay published in state media, adding that it would strengthen the president's hand against lobbyists and "mercenaries."

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cuban-leader-applauds-US-apf-124808403.html?x=0&.v=1b

[The Silver Thong]

Paul Haven, Associated Press Writer, On Thursday March 25, 2010, 12:39 pm EDT HAVANA (AP) -- It perhaps was not the endorsement President Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress were looking for.

Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Thursday declared passage of American health care reform "a miracle" and a major victory for Obama's presidency, but couldn't help chide the United States for taking so long to enact what communist Cuba achieved decades ago.

"We consider health reform to have been an important battle and a success of his (Obama's) government," Castro wrote in an essay published in state media, adding that it would strengthen the president's hand against lobbyists and "mercenaries."

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cuban-leader-applauds-US-apf-124808403.html?x=0&.v=1b

If a third world country under U.S. sanctions can have UHC for those not in the know Universal health care, needs to express the importance of such an act to the U.S. it's a sign of the times. The U.S. has followed it's own drummer to long with out a care in the world and BAM a dictator from a third world country says ha, thanks for catching up LOL.

Lift the embargo on Cuba for christ sake!!!!

Oh wait, don't !!!!!! Canadians love to go there.

Edited March 26, 2010 by The Silver Thong

[danielost]

If a third world country under U.S. sanctions can have UHC for those not in the know Universal health care, needs to express the importance of such an act to the U.S. it's a sign of the times. The U.S. has followed it's own drummer to long with out a care in the world and BAM a dictator from a third world country says ha, thanks for catching up LOL.

Lift the embargo on Cuba for christ sake!!!!

Oh wait, don't !!!!!! Canadians love to go there.

yes, yes, yes, we need more dictators to tell us how to run our country.

[Roughneck]

Meanwhile, Cuban citizens can barely afford a pound of meat per month.

If that's catching up, I'm glad we're lagging behind.

[ZuanNiu]

IMO approval of this health care reform by the leader of a communist country isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of it. :angry2:

[Watchers]

If a third world country under U.S. sanctions can have UHC for those not in the know Universal health care, needs to express the importance of such an act to the U.S. it's a sign of the times. The U.S. has followed it's own drummer to long with out a care in the world and BAM a dictator from a third world country says ha, thanks for catching up LOL.

Lift the embargo on Cuba for christ sake!!!!

Oh wait, don't !!!!!! Canadians love to go there.

I don't think you understand the point of the article. The fact that Castro is congratulating Obama on this is basically like saying, "Way to go in the wrong direction", to the rest of the intelligent world. Obama is taking us toward communism/socialism, and is essentially driving this nation into the ground faster than any of his predecessors could ever do.

Essentially...this would be like Hitler (if he were still alive), patting you on the back and saying "Good job on being more like me". It's not really a compliment.

[joshsluss]

I don't think you understand the point of the article. The fact that Castro is congratulating Obama on this is basically like saying, "Way to go in the wrong direction", to the rest of the intelligent world. Obama is taking us toward communism/socialism, and is essentially driving this nation into the ground faster than any of his predecessors could ever do.

Essentially...this would be like Hitler (if he were still alive), patting you on the back and saying "Good job on being more like me". It's not really a compliment.

No it's NOT like HITLER. It's like Castro...

Grow up.

[Watchers]

No it's NOT like HITLER. It's like Castro...

Grow up.

You're right, they're nothing alike! Castro is only a communist dictator who imprisoned and tortured thousands of his people, as well as worked with the Russian government to possibly blow up the U.S. during the Cold War.

[The Silver Thong]

I love how a tiny little comment gets the pot boiling such as I made. Castro has a point, Obama has a point, Bush had a point. It doesn't matter. Those that had a great insurance thing going in the U.S. feel screwed those that didn't feel liberated as now a poor person slaving away can now not worry about living in there kids house in the basement because of an ulcer trying to pay medical bills.

Edited March 26, 2010 by The Silver Thong

[The Silver Thong]

I don't think you understand the point of the article. The fact that Castro is congratulating Obama on this is basically like saying, "Way to go in the wrong direction", to the rest of the intelligent world. Obama is taking us toward communism/socialism, and is essentially driving this nation into the ground faster than any of his predecessors could ever do.

Essentially...this would be like Hitler (if he were still alive), patting you on the back and saying "Good job on being more like me". It's not really a compliment.

Hitler? really you want to go with a Hitler analogy concerning health care? Yup this is why any right winger that wants to make a point needs to involve Hitler LOL Godwin's law for the foolish.

[Watchers]

I love how a tiny little comment gets the pot boiling such as I made. Castro has a point, Obama has a point, Bush had a point. It doesn't matter. Those that had a great insurance thing going in the U.S. feel screwed those that didn't feel liberated as now a poor person slaving away can now not worry about living in there kids house in the basement because of an ulcer trying to pay medical bills.

It sounds good in the short term to those who don't understand the intricate workings of a capital market or what the government's regulation of such a large privatized industry can do. When health-insurance fails altogether and the Government is bailing them out like they had to do with the failed auto-industry, we'll be kicking ourselves once again for expecting the Government to take on a job that it was never meant to handle in the first place...that's why we're a capital market..

[Jack_of_Blades]

You're right, they're nothing alike! Castro is only a communist dictator who imprisoned and tortured thousands of his people, as well as worked with the Russian government to possibly blow up the U.S. during the Cold War.

Which is almost nothing like Hitler. Comparing the two is idiotic.

[The Silver Thong]

You're right, they're nothing alike! Castro is only a communist dictator who imprisoned and tortured thousands of his people, as well as worked with the Russian government to possibly blow up the U.S. during the Cold War.

You must 14 yrs old to make such a foolish statement. Careful as one should not criticize ones backyard befor looking at their own

[Watchers]

Which is almost nothing like Hitler. Comparing the two is idiotic.

How is that almost nothing like Hitler?

Evil Dictator: Check.

Socialism/Communism: Check.

Enemy of America: Check.

Tortures own populace: Check.

Drives fear into heart of own citizens: Check.

Imprisons political rivals: Check.

Controls freedoms of speech and basic rights: Check.

Murdered thousands of citizens: Check.

What am I missing?

Oh...wait...was Hitler's favorite color blue, and Castro's was yellow? Sorry..I guess that nullifies my reasoning.

[Dusk_Nightmare]

Being Cuban, anything this man(if you can call him one)says, makes me want to punch him in the face. Regarding his comment to the Health Care Bill, it's probably NOT a good thing when a dictator of another country prasies a bill that could possibity break us.

[danielost]

Hitler? really you want to go with a Hitler analogy concerning health care? Yup this is why any right winger that wants to make a point needs to involve Hitler LOL Godwin's law for the foolish.

just in case you dont know hitler was a rightie. stalin was a leftie. castro is a selfie.

[The Silver Thong]

It sounds good in the short term to those who don't understand the intricate workings of a capital market or what the government's regulation of such a large privatized industry can do. When health-insurance fails altogether and the Government is bailing them out like they had to do with the failed auto-industry, we'll be kicking ourselves once again for expecting the Government to take on a job that it was never meant to handle in the first place...that's why we're a capital market..

Oh for cryin out loud, private business has controled government for years and it bit them in the ass. Bush and Obama are to fault for the bail outs and to say otherwise is not wise. They should have let them fail as any other private business. Build from scratch me says and let the corprate ass holes dwindle.

[Watchers]

Oh for cryin out loud, private business has controled government for years and it bit them in the ass. Bush and Obama are to fault for the bail outs and to say otherwise is not wise. They should have let them fail as any other private business. Build from scratch me says and let the corprate ass holes dwindle.

Private business, by law, does not, and has not controlled the government. Quite contrary to "popular" belief, the government does have a budget that is controlled through a fairly regulated process. The budget is controlled by laws, which have strict controls to ensure that they are not influenced via money/bribes.

I do agree that the government should've let them fail. The government has no business dealing with the auto-industry. But the same goes for the government getting involved in healthcare. The way healthcare insurance works....cannot account for complete coverage. As heartless as it sounds, from a business standpoint...you can't insure everyone and expect to stay in business.

[danielost]

Oh for cryin out loud, private business has controled government for years and it bit them in the ass. Bush and Obama are to fault for the bail outs and to say otherwise is not wise. They should have let them fail as any other private business. Build from scratch me says and let the corprate ass holes dwindle.

this i agree with.

[Jack_of_Blades]

How is that almost nothing like Hitler?

Socialism/Communism: Check.

Socialism is not Communism. Facepalm...

Trying to compare the massive world war that was cause by Hitler along with

comparing the ratio of torture, power, and fear that they both have is

so ignorant of history it is scary.

Oh...wait...was Hitler's favorite color blue, and Castro's was yellow?

Yes it does as Hitler's favorite color was mostly red. While (this is only speculation)

I believe Castro's is green.

[The Silver Thong]

just in case you dont know hitler was a rightie. stalin was a leftie. castro is a selfie.

Given that the U.S. kicks Cuba in the balls every chance they get because of the Cuban missle crisis gives me no respect for the U.S. concidering that Russia and the U.S. are now buddies so to speak. This thing againts Cuba is a personal matter and should be resolved. Castro is almost dead his brother will take over and really, is America scared of Cuba still? If so wow, what a bunch of pussies.

[Watchers]

Socialism is not Communism. Facepalm...

Trying to compare the massive world war that was cause by Hitler along with

comparing the ratio of torture, power, and fear that they both have is

so ignorant of history it is scary.

Yes it does as Hitler's favorite color was mostly red. While (this is only speculation)

I believe Castro's is green.

I wasn't saying Socialism/Communism and implying they are one in the same. I was lumping it into more of a "Extremist fascist belief system".

And just because another World War wasn't triggered or brought into reality, doesn't mean it wasn't knocking on our doorstep. The Cold War, at one point in time, was a very real threat...which had consequences that could far surpass the mass deaths caused in WW2. Nuclear holocaust was/is a very real threat. Who do you think allowed the Russians to bring missiles right to our doorstep and point them at us?

[danielost]

Given that the U.S. kicks Cuba in the balls every chance they get because of the Cuban missle crisis gives me no respect for the U.S. concidering that Russia and the U.S. are now buddies so to speak. This thing againts Cuba is a personal matter and should be resolved. Castro is almost dead his brother will take over and really, is America scared of Cuba still? If so wow, what a bunch of pussies.

i dont think we were ever scared of cuba or castro. by the way where are all the nay sayers crying how we armed castro in the first place. we did you know.

[Watchers]

Given that the U.S. kicks Cuba in the balls every chance they get because of the Cuban missle crisis gives me no respect for the U.S. concidering that Russia and the U.S. are now buddies so to speak. This thing againts Cuba is a personal matter and should be resolved. Castro is almost dead his brother will take over and really, is America scared of Cuba still? If so wow, what a bunch of pussies.

The U.S. and Russia are anything BUT buddies. Espionage between the two are still a very real ongoing occurrence, not to mention, Russian motives were very clear after the recent Georgia attack.

Cuba deserves the kick in the balls they got after the stunt they pulled during the Cold War (or shall I say, Castro deserves a giant kick in the balls).

And America has/had a very legitimate reason to be concerned or "scared". However, do I think we're scared of Cuba now? Hell no. But the alternative (complete ignorance), and saying "Oh...yeah don't worry about those missiles in my backyard aimed at my house....everything will be fine, I'm not scared"--that's just plain stupidity.

[Jack_of_Blades]

And just because another World War wasn't triggered or brought into reality, doesn't mean it wasn't knocking on our doorstep.

Agreed, but I don't believe that we were dealing in "what ifs".

The Cold War, at one point in time, was a very real threat...which had consequences that could far surpass the mass deaths caused in WW2.

Again "what if". What if Hitler won, What if the US was never dragged into WWII, What if Hitler was good, What if Castro kept his word, What if, What if.

Castro is (at best) a puppet and the destruction that Hitler caused deserves

to be compared to none else.

i dont think we were ever scared of cuba or castro.

Try again.

Edited March 26, 2010 by Jack_of_Blades