Rethinking the Cuba embargo

This is good:

"We must recognize the ineffectiveness of our current policy and deal with the Cuban regime in a way that enhances U.S. interests," wrote Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., in a report dated Monday.

It would really impress me if Obama were to push for a repeal of the embargo, which is a completely failed policy that has accomplished nothing. If we really want to promote regime change in Cuba the best thing we could do is bombard the country with MTV, McDonald's and Major League Baseball while we send waves of American tourists ashore. This would do more to expose the bankruptcy of the regime's ideology than any other possible move.

Even if it did absolutely nothing to loosen the Castro brothers' grip on power it would still promote economic growth and enhance the welfare of the Cuban people, which should be our first priority anyhow.

One thing for certain is that cutting off people from the outside world and leaving them both ignorant and impoverished is hardly a successful formula for promoting a free and democratic country.