Top 5 things I’d like to see Obama do
These are more pet issues that the world saving ideas that top other lists, but they’d make a significant difference in America and in it’s sphere of influence.
1. Trade with Cuba
The trade embargo has allowed a despot to drive his country into abject poverty, and kill thousands. Trade will increase - and would have increased - the influence of outside ideas, including ideas of fundamental freedoms that would help Cubans push Fidel and his mafia out of power.
2. Remove Iran from the Axis of Evil list
Before Bush and co. created the Axis of Evil, Iran was marching solidly towards a new enlightenment, with a blossoming of creative media, fostering the start of openess with the world. Adding them to the list helped put a warmongering mouthpiece in power and increased the danger to Iran’s burgeoning middle-class and it’s geographical neighbours. Without a large enemy that can be used by the Supreme Council to oppress Iranians, some openess should re-emerge.
3. Legalize Marijuana
Skipping the obvious improvements that such a move would bring (e.g. fewer people in prison), relaxing of marijuana laws would reduce future crime and bring a huge business segment into the main stream market, increasing employment and available tax base. It would also allow close allies, i.e. Canada, to finally do the same.
4. Work to improve the lot of Mexicans in Mexico
If the US spent a fraction of their Iraq war, helping to reduce corruption, improve economic investment and reduce risk (read some de Soto), it would do more to lower illegal immigration than any network of walls. It would also improve general incomes of Mexicans, which in turn will help improve the environment, health, and life expectancy.
5. Extend NAFTA
Protectionism is not conducive to economic growth. The US, instead of turtling in, should extend their openess - to not just improve American incomes but those of their trading partners. It should be true free trade, not tied pseudo aid/investment that mostly passes for help, but an openess that increases opportunities the world over.
Anything here rankle you? Feeling overly perturbed or elated? Leave a comment below. or subscribe to the Sauce Captain feed.
Comments
Todd,
I have to agree that, upon re-reading your entry, I was perhaps not quite on track, and it being past my bed-time, leapt to some conclusions. My apologies for the O’Reilly comment. Not necessary.
Yes, I agree that a lift in the Cuba trade embargo is absolutely in Cuba’s bests interest and good policy. Yes, I agree that removing Iran from the ‘Axis of Evil’ is in Iran’s best interest and good policy. USA investment in Mexico, though, is not a policy I endorse at this point.
Maybe next time I will read, re-read, then go away before writing!
Quick-trigger Pieroway out!
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Todd,
C’mon, man. I don’t think the trade embargo has ‘allowed’ a despot to drive his country into abject poverty. Castro may not be a saint, but the US repression of Cuba goes back to the days of the Platt Amendment. The USA has never had an interest in a free, democratic, or self-determined Cuba. The current state of economic affairs of Cuba, without bending over and taking it from the States, is almost inevitable.
And Iran was well on its way to enlightenment in 1953, when the USA thought it was in their best interest to overthrow Mossaddeq and reinstate the Shah. Danger? What the hell is Iran going to do? And what business does the US have in the middle east, anyways?
Forget about interfering with Mexico. Why not grant Mexicans in the USA citizenship? I know, it’s because the idea of slavery is alive and well in the USA. Except now the term ’slave’ is replaced with euphemisms like ‘nanny’ and ‘gardener’.
Is your alias Bill O’Reilly?
Take care!
Steve