Opinion Archives - Page 464 of 488

Cubans Becoming Less Human

We don’t have yellow journalism in Cuba; and we don’t we need it. Every day we hear the sensationalized details concerning some armed robbery or a rape. These days people are talking about a daring bus holdup.

No Peace for Cuba

If all Cubans, wherever they are, fail to come together at this crucial moment in history in defense of our country and the Cuban government does not introduce new policies and strategies, it is a real possibility that our country’s name will be added to those of Guam, Palmyra Atoll, Virgin Islands, Wake Island, Midway Island, Puerto Rico and others.

Cuba’s New Taxes

Taxes will range from “nothing” for those who make 5,000 pesos [about $200 USD] or less per annum, up to 50% for those who annually earn more than 50,000 pesos [about $2,000].

Bureaucracy on the Hoof

Many wagon drivers wonder how errors of this type can be committed since they directly impact on the quality of life of whole communities, many of which depend solely on these animals for transportation.

Thinking of the Almighty $

My friend Paolo told me that Cubans attach too much importance to money. “I know that the wages in Cuba aren’t enough,” he told me, “but at least you have things here that can’t be compared with what we have in my country.” He mentioned the facts that education and health care are free.

Chinks in the Armor

“Cubans complain a lot about health care because it’s free.” Those were the words of a physician, who’s a friend of our family when I told her, “Maria, every day I hear more negative comments from people related to health care services, especially concerning doctors.” She added that those people who complain so much about health care in Cuba should go to any Latin American country for a few weeks.

Cuba Gov. Puts its Cards on the Table

With the publication of the “Guidelines of Economic and Social Policy,” the government headed by President Raul Castro has finally shown its cards. The document explains to the public where the country is going and what model the leadership seeks to build.

With All Respect to Dogs

Things happen to Jaime that I’d find highly improbable if I too didn’t live in Cuba. This is not the first time that I’m recounting one of his adventures in Havana Times. What I’m going to share on this occasion is what happened to him on October 14th; in fact, it was the afternoon that tropical depression Paula swept across our capital.

They Learn, But…

I criticize the English teacher who for a final evaluation has a group of questions that, in almost all cases, the students are forced to turn to other people to answer. We all know that practice and the systemization of study are elements of vital importance for the learning of any language. One cannot learn any language by repeating over the course of one day —like a parrot— how to greet someone, how to say your name or how to say your nationality in that language, and much less by memorizing dialogues that another person has prepared.

Considering Opportunities for Cuba

To carry out the indispensably needed social adjustment and to improve the economy and their own opportunities for accumulation, the political elite is counting on two resources: political/police control as well as émigrés and their remittances.