Murder Mayhem Or Madness?

The ageing Castro finally handed the reins of the Presidential control over to his 76 year old brother, Raul Castro, six months ago. This was after a 49 year rule which left the nation of Cuba deprived of democratic elections. Raul has 77 year old Jose Ramon as his Deputy and 72 year old Gen. Julio Casas as his Defense Minister.

Steven Levitt is quoted as saying “In democratic countries Presidents don’t matter. Dictators, with their insatiable appetite for glory, on the other hand appear to exert substantial influence on the economic fortunes of their countries. There are after all so few checks on the power of an autocrat.”

Authoritarian rulers are dictators who assume sole domination over the state. Julius Caesar, as dictator of Rome, was appointed for life.  Modern day dictators include Trajillo of the Dominican Republic, Franco of Spain, Peron of Argentina, Hitler of Germany, Pilsudski of Poland, Salazar of Portugal, Mussolini of Italy, Stalin of USSR, Diaz of Mexico, Noriega of Panama and Castro of Cuba.

In the late 1950s, most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, and everyone thought they were right. When a young charismatic leader came along, every Cuban was receptive, in spite of the fact it took a revolution to put him in power.

The press had an instant love affair with the young man, who eloquently and passionately denounced the old system. Just who his friends were no one asked, or what his beliefs were. Penniless farmers believed it when the new leader said he would give them help, free medical care and education for everybody.

The crowds cheered when he said he would bring justice and equality. When the new leader said "I am for change and I'll bring you change," the people yelled, "Viva Fidel". A new Messiah had come to save them.

By the time the executioner's guns were finally silent, the people's guns had been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time everyone received their free education it was worth nothing. By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for the new leader. By the time change was finally implemented Cuba had been knocked down to a Third-World status. By the time change was over, more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts, and inner tubes. Perhaps those who made it ashore in other countries were the fortunate Cubans. Castro’s illegitimate daughter is one of the Cuban escapees and has been a strong critic of her father’s hard-fisted policies.

While claiming to be a communist regime, the working class in Cuba, were paralyzed when Castro formed a new bureaucracy. It is said they need to rise up and unite and fight the ruling class, who reap the rewards from their island.

Cubans are now asking, will there be a new round of changes, or is the aged leadership merely going to follow in Fidel's footsteps? Many Cubans feel they should have the right to come and go from their nation as they please, meet whom they please and have freedom of speech. Instead they are indigent captives, whose liberty has been crushed, as if it were of no account.