Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

polly7

(20,582 posts)
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 01:19 PM Jan 2015

Socialism 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:" ...........

I reiterate that it will only be possible to move forward based on mutual respect, which involves the observance of the principles of International Law and the UN Charter, among them, the sovereign equality of States, peoples’ equal rights and self determination, the peaceful settlement of international controversies, the principle of refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or independence of any State and the obligation not to intervene in matters which are within the domestic jurisdiction of States, which means that any form of interference or threat to the political, economic and cultural elements of any given State is considered a violation of International Law.

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.


It is necessary to understand that Cuba is a sovereign State whose people, through a free referendum held to approve the Constitution, chose a socialist path as well as its political, economic and social system (APPLAUSE).


The Cuban Revolution is deeply grateful to the peoples, parties and governments from which it has received an unwavering and permanent solidarity, and shall continue to orient its foreign policy based on our unshakable allegiance to principles.


http://dissidentvoice.org/2014/12/socialism-will-continue-in-cuba/
10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
 

Mika

(17,751 posts)
1. Wait a minute!!!!
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 02:03 PM
Jan 2015

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)
3. Every single party authoritarian state has an elected legislature.
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 04:07 PM
Jan 2015

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)
4. Raul isn't running for a seat representing Municipio Segundo Frente, Santiago again. He's retiring.
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 08:50 PM
Jan 2015

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)
5. You honestly believe that Cuban elections are truely multii party, don't you?
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 09:14 PM
Jan 2015

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)
7. I have never said that. The elections in Cuba are no-party elections.
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 09:54 PM
Jan 2015

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)
8. The Cuban people do not have the power to make that kind of change
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 10:27 PM
Jan 2015

they live in an authoritarian police state. Perhaps another revolution is called for.

Judi Lynn

(160,211 posts)
9. Amazing how little right-wing US Americans know about other countries, isn't it?
Sun Jan 4, 2015, 12:37 AM
Jan 2015

Ignorance, and indifference. They don't know, and they don't care enough to learn.

 

Mika

(17,751 posts)
10. Some imagined "win" in an internet debate seems more important than reality.
Sun Jan 4, 2015, 02:24 PM
Jan 2015

Some of us actually have a horse in this race. Its not a rhetorical debate for me.

[hr]

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)
2. Cuba has been violating that statement for at least a decade
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 02:27 PM
Jan 2015

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)
6. Socialism with heavy reliance on privatization of the economy
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 09:52 PM
Jan 2015

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.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Latin America»Socialism Will Continue i...