US Congress delays vote on Cuba travel ban

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Israel News

US Congress delays vote on Cuba travel ban
Published: 09.29.10, 00:08 / Israel News

A US Congressional committee postponed a vote on a measure that would abolish a decades-old ban on travel to Cuba, leaving little time this year for the proposal to advance in Congress.

Supporters of the change said it was a shame to delay a US response to recent changes in Cuba, where the Communist government is allowing some private enterprise and has agreed to the release of political prisoners.



Read more: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3961731,00.html

[saigon68]

1. Posada would be happy

[Billy Burnett]

11. Makes everyone happy (except Americans and Cubans)

The longer the standoff (a political plank for both sides) continues, then the more money can be collected by all party candidates using this issue as a fundraising plank to their platform. Pro and con.

This is THE reason this cold war era action continues, despite the overwhelming majority of Americans who, according to polls, support ending the US sanctions on Cuba and American travel.

It is a money maker for politicians on both sides of the issue. Considering the US campaign funding system, why would US politicians get rid of a cash cow?


On edit: as cretinous as the intransigent RW Miamicubano exiles (a small minority of Cuban exiles) might be, no one can seriously believe that .0002% of the population controls this issue. They are the strawmen for our consumption, as R+D corruption takes over our system of democracy.

[COLGATE4]

2. The Rethug Miami Cuban Mafia must be thrilled.

[harun]

3. Weak sauce.

[nyy1998]

4. Effing Florida

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. The Committee Chairman who postponed the voter is from CA, not FL

[nyy1998]

8. Yes, but you don't think the Dems thought about the politics in Florida?

That's the problem with some of these "swing" states is there get too much power politically.

(and keep in mind,there are certain parts of Florida I enjoy visiting, I have nothing against the state in general, but the politics of that state piss me off to no end)

[bemildred]

5. Stall, stall, stall ... nt

[tkmorris]

6. Political hot potato one month before an election

I have been stunned if they HAD voted on this now.

[Kringle]

9. Congress has more important things to do

such as go on vacation

[Judi Lynn]

10. Unavoidable Choices on Cuba for the White House and Congress

John McAuliff
Founder and Executive Director, Fund for Reconciliation and Development
Posted: September 29, 2010 12:38 PM

Unavoidable Choices on Cuba for the White House and Congress

We are at a time of testing. Are the institutions of government in the U.S. finally able to overcome well-funded special interest exile politics to chart a rational course with Cuba?

The White House dismally failed the first round. It generated excitement that it would use executive authority before Congress returned from the August recess to reverse Bush-era restrictions on non-tourist travel. News stories suggested the breadth and administrative implementation of the new policy would go beyond the Clinton era, just as Obama did for Cuban American travel.

Predictable hostility came from the Cuban-American quintet in Congress, supported by their indefatigable ally Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, the same people who oppose even unrestricted family travel. Just as in April 2009, the White House buckled under largely one-sided pressure, this time reportedly after new regulations had actually been approved by the president and the secretary of state.

The president's political advisers decided that opening up dialogue between the people of the U.S. and Cuba would have to wait once again, this time until after the mid-term election on November 2nd. Another opportunity for presidential leadership was squandered, contributing to further disillusionment in the Democratic base and among independents who had voted for change.

More:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-mcauliff/post_941_b_740334.html