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I spent about 10 days in Cuba as part of a scientific research trip just before Obama eased the restrictions. What disturbed me the most was how many Cuban sci

I spent about 10 days in Cuba as part of a scientific research trip just before Obama eased the restrictions. What disturbed me the most was how many Cuban scientists I met who truly believed the Cubans would cure cancer for the entire world if it weren't for the American "blockade." Aside from the government propaganda, a lot of South American & Caribbean countries have the same issues you've outlined. (Though the lack of toilet seats has so far been pretty unique to Cuba in my travels most of the poorer countries are definitely BYOTP.) One thing that really stood out to me about Cuba when I went was their odd transition to "private property" which this new constitution vaguely addresses. When I was there (in 2014 or 2015?) Cubans were allowed to "own" real estate but the government could force them to "sell" the property at any time, at the price specified by the government, and only to the seller selected or approved by the government. It didn't seem that "ownership" came with many rights or benefits. As for the "voodoo" I think that's fairly common in the Caribbean/South America as well. There are "voodoo markets" in Haiti & Togo, for example. And the "witches market" in La Paz, Bolivia is... something if you're into being surrounded by dried llama fetuses.[1] [1]https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-5273869/Inside-bizarre-witches-market-Bolivia.html https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-52738...

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anoncake 8y ago
> What disturbed me the most was how many Cuban scientists I met who truly believed the Cubans would cure cancer for the entire world if it weren't for the American "blockade." But don't these scientists know that they are way to lazy to cure cancer anyway because in socialism, people have no motivation to work? > When I was there (in 2014 or 2015?) Cubans were allowed to "own" real estate but the government could force them to "sell" the property at any time, at the price specified by the government, and only to the seller selected or approved by the government. AKA eminent domain? > https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-52738.. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-52738.... Seriously?
- AnimalMuppet 8y ago
  In real eminent domain, the government pays you the actual value of the property, not the price that they choose to pay.
- elliekelly 8y ago
  Cubans aren't lazy. By a long shot. I found them to be some of the most innovative and indeed they have quite the "hacker" culture given the very limited resources available to them. And you're right, I didn't explain the property rights clearly. I commented in a rush and that was a mistake. > Cubans were allowed to "own" real estate but the government could force them to "sell" the property at any time, at the price specified by the government, and only to the seller selected or approved by the government What I meant by this (but did not clearly articulate) was that "homeowners" can not only be forced by the government to sell at any time (similar to eminent domain) but also need permission from the government if they want to sell. And even when they've been given permission to sell they don't list it on the open market or even have an assessment (as would happen with an eminent domain action). Instead, the government simply assigns a price to the property and then assigns a potential "buyer" for the predetermined price. If that "buyer" isn't interested, the government will assign another. I'm sure you can see how this system can easily be exploited by government administrators to obtain the most desirable property for themselves and their "friends" at an artificially low price. And yes, I seriously linked to the Daily Mail. It certainly isn't always the best source of information but I was intending to share the photos and that link had the most variety. As I've been to the witches market, I found both the photos, and the information in the article, to be accurate and added to the conversation. Your snarky attitude, on the other hand, adds little to HN. A quick look through your comment history makes me wonder whether you might benefit from a review of the Guidelines.
woodandsteel 8y ago
What's so odd about Voodoo being popular in Cuba is that Communism, the philosophy of the government, is militantly atheist (as Marx said, "religion is the opiate of the people.")

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anoncake 8y ago

> What disturbed me the most was how many Cuban scientists I met who truly believed the Cubans would cure cancer for the entire world if it weren't for the American "blockade." But don't these scientists know that they are way to lazy to cure cancer anyway because in socialism, people have no motivation to work? > When I was there (in 2014 or 2015?) Cubans were allowed to "own" real estate but the government could force them to "sell" the property at any time, at the price specified by the government, and only to the seller selected or approved by the government. AKA eminent domain? > https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-52738.. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-52738.... Seriously?

AnimalMuppet 8y ago
In real eminent domain, the government pays you the actual value of the property, not the price that they choose to pay.
elliekelly 8y ago
Cubans aren't lazy. By a long shot. I found them to be some of the most innovative and indeed they have quite the "hacker" culture given the very limited resources available to them. And you're right, I didn't explain the property rights clearly. I commented in a rush and that was a mistake. > Cubans were allowed to "own" real estate but the government could force them to "sell" the property at any time, at the price specified by the government, and only to the seller selected or approved by the government What I meant by this (but did not clearly articulate) was that "homeowners" can not only be forced by the government to sell at any time (similar to eminent domain) but also need permission from the government if they want to sell. And even when they've been given permission to sell they don't list it on the open market or even have an assessment (as would happen with an eminent domain action). Instead, the government simply assigns a price to the property and then assigns a potential "buyer" for the predetermined price. If that "buyer" isn't interested, the government will assign another. I'm sure you can see how this system can easily be exploited by government administrators to obtain the most desirable property for themselves and their "friends" at an artificially low price. And yes, I seriously linked to the Daily Mail. It certainly isn't always the best source of information but I was intending to share the photos and that link had the most variety. As I've been to the witches market, I found both the photos, and the information in the article, to be accurate and added to the conversation. Your snarky attitude, on the other hand, adds little to HN. A quick look through your comment history makes me wonder whether you might benefit from a review of the Guidelines.

woodandsteel 8y ago

What's so odd about Voodoo being popular in Cuba is that Communism, the philosophy of the government, is militantly atheist (as Marx said, "religion is the opiate of the people.")