More Godiva chocolates & sweaters to bring about Cuban democracy
Al’s Loupe
By Alvaro F. Fernandez
“What’s important is the cash,” so says the successful but crude Miami Spanish language television commercial. Cuban American Representatives Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a Miami republican, and Albio Sires, a New Jersey democrat, seem to agree. Last week they managed to push through an amendment in the House which will provide $46 million to the Cuba democracy programs for the 2008 fiscal year. It’s a 500% jump from the 2007 funding level.
“What’s important is the cash,” so says the successful but crude Miami Spanish language television commercial. Cuban American Representatives Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a Miami republican, and Albio Sires, a New Jersey democrat, seem to agree. Last week they managed to push through an amendment in the House which will provide $46 million to the Cuba democracy programs for the 2008 fiscal year. It’s a 500% jump from the 2007 funding level.
I found the vote in the House stunning. These are the same programs that were investigated last year by the Government’s General Accountability Office (GAO) and in a scathing report released last November showed that much of this money was staying in Miami — the figure is north of 50% and I have heard as much as 80% stays in our fair city. The proposal passed by a 254-170 vote, with 66 democrats joining 188 republicans in support.
The Miami Herald’s Pablo Bachelet wrote that these are the programs the GAO report cited as having “management and oversight problems.” These are the programs were the money was used to buy Godiva chocolates, cashmere sweaters, and leather jackets.
But that did not deter the two Cuban-American legislators from pushing through the proposal. In a passionate speech in the House, Diaz-Balart told his colleagues, “Let us not turn our backs on the Cuban internal opposition … They will play a key role in the inevitable democratic transition that is approaching.”
And how does Diaz-Balart think these programs will help? Or does he know something he’s not sharing with us about the power of chocolates. Or maybe he’s planning to do away with Cubans on the island by melting them with new cashmere sweaters and leather jackets.
The fact is that this is just another political tit for tat money game. The great majority of this cash will never see the island of Cuba. It will end up, though, in the hands of persons in South Florida who help elect and reelect politicians like George W. Bush, Lincoln Diaz-Balart and many others. And if Lincoln was an honest man he’d let us in on the $46 million secret, like the nearly $50 million that goes to Radio and TV Marti — “cash” that has little to do with Cuba and democracy.
Knowing what we know, as reported by the government’s own accounting office, it is shameful that 254 members of the House of Representatives would stoop to such politicking in favor of programs whose aim are not even what they claim to be. As for Lincoln Diaz-Balart, he once again demonstrates that he cares little about his community. In an area like Miami, where more funds are needed for housing, education and so much more, he ends up fighting for $46 million that we know will be squandered.
The good news is this funding must still be approved by the U.S. Senate. I expect they will have a greater sense of respect — for themselves and the taxpayers.
Finally, if you weren’t a cynic, actions such as these by the U.S. Congress, can sure help make you one. Or how else do you explain politicians gladly voting for the Cuba democracy “giveaway” programs.
In the meantime, so many of us from around the country, and on the island of Cuba, await for a Congress to bravely do what has to be done, turn back cruel and inhumane restrictions that help to further separate families on both sides of the Florida Straits. But these measures the Congress won’t deal with … “They’re touchy,” we’ve been told. And next year there is a presidential election coming up.
Consider this: Business with Cuba is allowed. There is legal trade going on right now. But you can not visit a dying family member if you’ve been to Cuba in the past three years.
Shameful! I guess that what is important is the cash.
