Travel changes

The Obama administration took a positive but very tentative step by scaling back George W. Bush's travel restrictions to Cuba.  The administration felt even that was too controversial to try before the midterm elections.

It is so bizarre how hardliners believe that the status quo--which means keeping the dictatorship alive--is desirable.  From Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: "Loosening these regulations will not help foster a pro-democracy environment in Cuba."  The more appropriate question, however is how 50+ years of sanctions have fostered a pro-democracy environment.  If something has not worked for half a decade, it is worth trying something else.