http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news...uba/ar-AA8Jr0l

A bipartisan coalition of eight senators want Americans to make Cuba their next vacation destination. Or at least have that option.

Four Republicans and four Democrats will introduce the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act of 2015 Thursday to end the restrictions on American travel to Cuba. The 50-year travel embargo is still in place, but has been loosened in President Obama’s effort to “normalize” relations with Cuba.

“Since 2009, Cuban-Americans have been able to travel to Cuba without restriction. There is a bipartisan, bicameral interest in extending that right to all Americans,” according to a one-page summary provided to the Loop.

Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) are the original co-sponsors. Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) are introducing a companion bill in the House next week.

Leahy, Durbin, and Whitehouse were among several Democrats to visit Cuba about two weeks ago to discuss Obama’s new policy with the Cuban government.

“The sponsors of the bill believe that the exchange of ideas and values via people-to-people travel can have a far greater, positive impact than the decades-old failed policy of isolation,” according to the summary.

But before any American starts packing a beach bag and clearing the cigar box, the bipartisan support does not mean it will be an easy sell on Capitol Hill.

During their joint interview on CBS News’s “60 Minutes,” Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell both said they disagreed with Obama’s decision to re-establish diplomatic ties with Cuba. McConnell said he expected a “vigorous discussion.”

Though lifting the travel embargo might prove an easier goal than lifting the trade embargo with Cuba.
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I say whatever help Cuba's people is the best option.
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My opinion on the matter is kind of formed by the thought process of 1.) who benefits? and 2.) who does it hurt? I like to put numbers on things so here's what I came up with.

Americans would benefit by having an additional travel location, and availability of Cuban produced goods (obviously). Cubans benefit by increased money flow trough American tourists and sale of their goods.

It hurts.....???

Is it that great of a tourism spot? It's a Caribbean island, I hear those are nice to travel to. What about crime? Well the numbers I mentioned;

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has collected data on a global study of homicide. The Homicide Rate per 100,000 population per year for a few countries in 2012
Cuba - 4.2
USA - 4.7
Turks and Caicos Islands - 6.6
Barbados - 7.4
Bermuda - 7.4
Mexico - 21.5

While not a perfect picture of safety, I would feel comfortable using this as a rough depiction of the crime levels in a country for comparison. So I don't know that the question is why should we but rather why shouldn't we? I could see myself vacationing there one day, any others?

source: https://www.unodc.org/gsh/en/index.html via wikipedia
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I would go tomorrow if they would let me.
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I would be going there next month if the girlfriend would of let me.... instead she chose mexico :-(
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Let you?

Heck, they can have you!

:-)


Thank you! Thank you! I'll be here all week, and please, remember to tip your waitress.
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Jeff,

Show her the numbers, tell her it's for the safety of you both. :-)
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:-)

And try the brisket!
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I just watched this last night and do not recall that comment or discussion of Cuba whatsoever.
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Wonder what's going to happen now taht Cuba is demanding 2 Billion dollars in reparations from the U.S.?
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I saw that the Castro's also said they are not budging on anything and the U.S. should mind it's own business, so how are relations thawing?
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As far as I know, Cuba doesn't need to budge on anything. They are not keeping US residents out. If the US decides to lift travel restrictions, I have to assume more US residents will start visiting with their dollars & Cuba will welcome both.
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Pay them with BitCoins or Radio Shack stock options.
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It's veal .. not brisket… "be sure to try the veal…" noob :-)


The Republic of li….. California accepts BitCoins as office payment. :-)
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The reparations go both ways, each country seized a lot of loot when the embargo started.
How they'll sort that out is beyond me.
I'd think that all they can do is say "Let's forget the whole reparation thing and move on."
If they don't, normalized relations will hang in the courts for 50 more years.
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:-):-):-)
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Nice. :-)

I would like to claim the name Partagas for my upcoming cigar line, grown totally in Illinois during the winter.
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road trip!!!

Cigars, Rum, Frijoles Negros, Tostones, Ropa Vieja, Café con Leche MMMM!!!
And... lots of 1950's cars!
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It's time to move on from the Cold War thoughts. This island is one place I would take a vacation with the music, food, and enjoyment of the great cigars. So how do others feel about Congress' voting on improving our ties with Cuba?:-)
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:-) :-)
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