Latin America
Related: About this forumSocialism Will Continue in Cuba
Statement at the closing ceremony of the fourth session of the eighth legislature of the National People's Power Assembly
by Raúl Castro / December 27th, 2014
"Comrades all:" ...........
In accordance with the proclamation of the Latin American and Caribbean region as a Zone of Peace, which was signed by the Heads of State and Government on January 29 this year in Havana in the context of the CELAC Summit, all States have the inalienable right to choose their own political, economic, social and cultural system, without any interference whatsoever from another State, which is a principle of International Law. That document was signed here in Havana by all Heads of State and Government of this continent, with the exception of the United States and Canada, which were not invited to attend.
http://dissidentvoice.org/2014/12/socialism-will-continue-in-cuba/
Mika
(17,751 posts)Cuba has an elected legislature?
Castro doesn't run everything - including garbage days and bus routes?
OMG!
Next thing ya know we'll find out that there's no tooth fairy.
hack89
(39,171 posts)let me know when there is an election where Raul Castro has a real opponent with an opportunity to actually win.
Mika
(17,751 posts)Someone else will be elected to the seat in the National Assembly representing Raul's home district, Segundo Frente, in Santiago.
As in all parliamentary systems, the Cuban Head of State is elected from the national parliament/assembly.
We'll have to take a look at the candidates in 2018.
hack89
(39,171 posts)despite all the evidence to the contrary. You really think that a candidate can run on a platform opposing the current Cuban government and actually get on a ballot? You really think a candidate can run on an anti-socialism platform and get on a ballot?
Mika
(17,751 posts)There are a wide range of political parties in Cuba, I've posted them for you many times. Some are socialist parties, some union parties, some Christian Democrat parties, some anti communist parties, etc. Some candidates belong to the various national parties, some aren't. The difference between Cuba and the US is that no party can select a slate of candidates in Cuba (including the communist party). Candidates are selected by the people in open fora, straw polls, and then elections.
I have a few problems with party run elections. I have a few problems with smoky back room deals by party honchos.
I prefer direct citizen nominations of candidates to represent them - as Cuba does have - not secret party wheeling and dealing - as is the case in the USA. I prefer candidates not being funded by Wall Street or other wealthy private entities putting the public will after their interests. I prefer equal public funding of candidates - as Cuba does have.
I could go on, but its not my issue to address, nor yours. Its up to the Cubans in Cuba to address. If they push to change from their current citizen run elections - as Cuba has now - to a party ruled system, that's up to them to make it happen.
hack89
(39,171 posts)they live in an authoritarian police state. Perhaps another revolution is called for.
Judi Lynn
(160,211 posts)Ignorance, and indifference. They don't know, and they don't care enough to learn.
Mika
(17,751 posts)Some of us actually have a horse in this race. Its not a rhetorical debate for me.
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Thanks for all of the great information and insights you've provided in the last year and more!!
Happy New Year, Judi. All the best to you.
Bacchus4.0
(6,837 posts)3. The commitment of the States of the region with their strict obligation not to intervene, directly or indirectly, in the internal affairs of any other State and observe the principles of national sovereignty, equal rights and self-determination of peoples;
And continues to do so in Venezuela. Also, its the document should say its the right of the people within the nations to determine their governments, not the State.
Just words on a piece of paper, are they going to live up to that statement?
FrodosPet
(5,169 posts)They are looking at china and thinking that they can call themselves socialists while still getting paid.
Old school Cuban state ownership and control over the complete economy is over. Let's see how much remains when the ex-pats and demanding American tourists start invading.