Morning Open Thread: More Reforms In Cuba

[SeminalBlog]

Since Raul Castro took the reins in Cuba, the government has announced a succession of reforms; first went restrictions on Cubans staying in hotels, then restrictions on the purchase of mobile phones, DVD players, microwaves and other sundry goods. Now it's taken aim at the agricultural industry. As the BBC reports,

It will now be easier for state workers to own their homes and pass them on to their children. Wage limits are to be removed to allow more incentives.

As the more unjust policies of the Cuban government fall out, so too should the belligerent sentiments in D.C. Though the Cuban-American lobby is virulently pro-embargo, our legislators shouldn't be so adamant.
The U.N. has condemned our embargo 16 years running and, despite the Bush administrations increased hostility towards Cuba, U.S. public opinion seems to be trending towards the world consensus. If good sense prevails, it will soon fall in line.
I believe that the embargo is a work of arbitrary cruelty, and should've been trashed years ago. But, from a combination of mulishness and acquiescence to a small but vocal lobby, it remains in place. Admitting a mistake is not one of the US government's virtues, but the current reforms allow us an opportunity to drop the embargo without an admission of guilt. We should seize it.
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