In spite of it's many drawbacks in the areas of human rights violations, freedom of religion,, and freedoms of speech, assembly, and press, the Cuban government has made positive changes in its citizens lives. Its health care system is considered to be one of the best in the world, and a model for other nations to follow, by the World Health Organization. Each citizen benefits from free health care and education, as well as subsidized housing and food.
While I do not agree with many of the policies enacted under Fidel Castro's Communist rule, some of them are beneficial. The system would work much better, and its citizens would be happier, if the United States rescinded its embargo against Cuba. If Communism is indeed doomed to fail, and Cuba truly poses no real threat to the United States, the United States has nothing to fear in allowing trade relations with Cuba. After all, the U.S. trades extensively with China, a much larger and more powerful Communist country.
The revolution that put Castro in power has brought about positive changes, as well as negative ones.
| The United States should open the gate it locked | 
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| and establish a mutually beneficial discourse with Cuba--its people and its government. |  |
Sources Consulted
"A Semiotic Perspective of the Elian Gonzalez Situation" www.electronicpolitics.com/elian_gonzalez.htm
Cuba: Sitio del Gobierno de la República de Cuba www.cubagod.cu
CubaFacts www.cubafacts.com
CubaWeb www.cubaweb.cu
Immigration and Naturalization Service www.ins.usdoj.gov
Salim Muwakkil. "What is the purpose of this country's embargo against Cuba?" Chicago Tribune 10 April 2000 www.commondreams.org/views/041000-102.htm
U.S. Department of State. Cuba Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 1997. www.state.gov/www/global/human_rights/1997_hrp_report/cuba.html