Originally posted by: SickBeast
Originally posted by: DanceMan
And there is much difference between poor and rich Cuba, just like any other society. And to think that their life is compleatly paid for by the government is not true. They get healthcare and pretty good early education, and that's about it.
Under communism where inheritance is illegal, how does one become "rich"? My wife and I spent around $100 on tips during our week, and those probably went to at least 15-20 people.
Is there a private sector in Cuba?
Do people get rich on the black market selling cigars?
With all due respect, what you're saying doesn't make much sense to me. Have you been to Cuba? The quality of life I witnessed was quite consistent throughout my travels.
I was told that all of their higher education costs, food, and clothing are paid for by the government. Like I said, they have their life covered and they get $10/month spending money. I'm not sure why we have this conflicting information. How much does university cost in Cuba?
I'm a little late replying to your question -- but yes, I've been to Cuba. TWICE. But, it has been awhile (around 2000 was the last time I went). I would go more, but my government dosn't make it easy for me to do that! I have stayed in Havana and taken the bus (the camels!) from there to Cienfuegos and stayed for weeks, and also to Santa Clara. I didn't stay at the resorts at all, and frankly, when you do this, it's a poor way to get to know the people of the country. I stayed in a local house (casa particulars).
Being black, and having my Spanish not be too bad, I may have a different perspective than you did on Cuba. It is against the law for the locals to be seen 'interacting' with the tourist, so if you look clearly like you're not a Cuban, they do tend to shy away from you. However, I pretty much fit in, and I got to hear and see a whole lot, probably much more than the government would like me to know.
Basically, you're rich in Cuba same as anywhere else: Having connections, especially government connections. I didn't see directly where the government paid directly for their food and clothes. What I did see (and do) was go with the caretaker of my house and we bought daily food for her family and went to the store to buy some clothes, with some of the money they earned from the house rental (which, they didn't own, but a local doctor did, who, of course was well connected). Actually, how this 'private sector' renting started was that Castro relented, because there was much suffering among the people after the Soviet downfall, and Castro wanted to avoid at least angry citizens. Cubans can recieve a food ration, but it's pretty meager, and it's not enough to get you by, and many shun it because the food is such poor quality. If you heard that at a resort that the government gives them all the food and clothing they need, folks are often told to tell you things like that.
And, yep, there's is a black market for cigars. They don't get rich (too much competition), but remember, it all about making a living, and trying to get ahold of those dollars.
As for education, the caretaker lady (actually a young woman) was smart as a whip, and very hard working. I asked her about going to college, and she told me she could not do it, because it did take some money, and that she needed to keep working for the family, and she seemed quite bitter about it.
And if you talk to Cubans, especially young ones, I was pretty much struck with their outright disgust for Castro and his policies. I was surprised how many people wanted to talk about Cuban politics, and their hope for change. One such case was the Elian Gonzales case, when they said that they were told to demostrate for Elian to come home for the TV cameras, but everyone secretly hoped he could stay in the US.
And make no mistake, it is an opressive, communist regime. I saw personally people arrested for breaking that tourist 'association' law, and if it was your second or third arrest, you could spend some time (months even years). Also, cars (including taxis and private cars I was riding in) got pulled over by the police routinely. Never had a problem personally, just told them I was a musician studying Afro-Cuban music, and when they saw my American passport, it was like a magic amulet or something.
But, to be fair, there was a lot of good. The people were very warm, and always willing to share. Even in fairly large towns, people all seemed to know each other. They told me great stories. They are some of the most resourceful, non-wasteful people I have ever met. When I came back a 2nd time, the lady showed me that she had kept the Pringles can that I thrown away in the trash the first time I was there! Also, it's very much like being stuck in the 1950's, with the old cars and architecture, girls riding side-saddle on bikes, and people going door-to-door delivering milk, vegtables, etc. every day. And a very close sense of family and community.
Sorry for the long reply, but just wanted to get my point across.