Monday, January 26, 2015

WHAT WILL NEW RELATIONS WITH CUBA BRING FLORIDA?


WHAT WILL NEW RELATIONS WITH CUBA BRING FLORIDA?

That is the big question right? Because no state will be more impacted by this new policy change than Florida. Let’s start with the most important issue to us, which is tourism of course. This will seriously boost tourism, since there will not be direct flights from other states to Cuba. But the embargo has to be lifted in order for this to begin in earnest, so probably not much gain in the short term. We will see what happens next year in the House and Senate on that. How about baseball? Selfishly, I am thinking this will have a big, immediate impact. Right now we have a spring training deal hanging in the balance. If it doesn’t get done we will see the end of spring training baseball in South Florida so there is a lot at stake. With the new relations with Cuba it would be embarrassing for Florida to have no place for this new influx of talent (which will draw more tourists!) So I think it will help get that deal done. Finally, and most importantly, I think this will foster freedom and change in Cuba. I read a great article showing the parallels with China when we normalized relations with them in the 70’s. They we taught to hate us, that we were the cause of all their troubles, etc. When the relations changed so did their view of Americans. And now look at now far they have come. I think the same will happen in Cuba, once they have more contact. It is certainly worth a try since the other policy yeilded no success in 50 years. So I am hopeful, like always. What do you think? As always thanks for reading and have a great day.


 

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