Raul's Reforms

A Cuban blogger is not impressed:

That's the true genius of these "reforms," they are designed to appeal to the Cuban sense of self. Raul is dismantling the assemblage of fiats that make Cubans feel like second-class citizens in their own country. While no substantial reforms have been forthcoming that will allow Cubans to avail themselves of these "changes," those decreed are designed to make them feel they could. One wonders if the removal of the two-tier currency will be next.

Still among the banned, however, are the rights of free assembly, free speech, free elections. Call me a skeptic, but I'm looking for one tell, and that is the release of the political prisoners. The day that Dr. Oscar Biscet walks out of whatever hell hole they've transferred him to a free man; then I will believe change is truly on the way. Until then, I fear I have misjudged Raul, who may very well have been the brains behind keeping the throne all these many years.

Another take? Raul is trying to put Cuba on the Chinese path. Allow some economic freedom, but keep a tight grip on the political process. Accept the economic prosperity which comes from opening up markets, and hope that this takes some of the wind out of the political reformers. We'll have to see how this shakes itself out.

But more freedom is still more freedom. It is good that Cubans will now be allowed to have cell phones and microwaves, even if many can't afford them, and even if dissenting political speech and assembly is still banned. We should always hope and work for more, but this is still progress.