Dear Sir:

The article "Rethinking Cuba" written by Laura Wayne was inspiritional to some extent. It caused me to ponder the question: What is worse at distorting reality? Miami sunglasses or the myopia caused by a ideological agenda. It's clear that she thinks that relinguishing your soul to the State, foregoing any minimal standards of political, social, and economic freedoms is a small price to pay for access to free health care and education.

I'm sure this article is already in print in Gramma for distribution to all Cubans as further proof that the "Great Satan of The North" is the cause of all the ills of the Cuban populace. Therein lies a somewhat amusing irony. Had Laura Wayne written an article critical of the government of Cuba while living there, she would be facing 15 to 20 years in prision. This utopian socialist system she painted does not tolorate criticism of any kind and independent thought outside the circle of approved ideology is strictly forbidden and dealt with harshly. I do agree the American embargo is wrong only to the point that it has been ineffective and counter-productive. It has only served as a crutch by the dictatorship.to deflect criticism of its own failed policies of political and economic oppression. The last thing the Cuban communist regime wants to see is the discontinuation of the American embargo. Then what excuse would they use to mask their own social and economic problems? Any product or commodity (including American products) that you can buy in Canada, can be bought in Cuba. Canada is Cuba's largest trading partner.

I do, however, agree with Laura Wayne that Cuban universities produce a large crop of good medical doctors. I used the word crop because Castro uses these doctors as a commodity to loan to other countries in exchange for political equity and as proof that his socialist system is successful. There is a high defection rate among these doctors because after their two year sabatical they are looking at returning to a system that guarantees them $40 a month in pay. I know several doctors there who moonlight as mechanics and musicians in order to feed their families. Concerning medicines, Laura Wayne is factually wrong. Medicine and food are exempted from embargo controls. And, as far as Cuba having to pay higher prices for these items in Europe and Asia rather than the United States, she is wrong again! Medicines in Europe and Asia are 40% to 60% cheaper than in the US. i.e. Americans purchase billions of dollars in medicines yearly from Canadian suppliers because they are much cheaper than in the US. For the last forty years, Cuban Americans have sent hundreds of millions of US dollars to friends and families to supplement their meager existance. This money is a large portion of the Cuban economy and now Fidel has figured a way to milk his citizens of and additional 20% for his regime. A recent policy has been implemented banning the use of all foreign currencies. Money recieved now has to be exchanged at a government bank for a newly printed currency at a loss of 20% exchange fee.

Outside of citing several incorrect facts, Laura Wayne's omissions of reality are the real telling story here. Her intent was so focused on pushing the social progressive agenda, she forgot to tell us about the things she can do in an open society that a Cuban cannot do in theirs. 1. Write an article critical of government policy. 2. Receive uncensored news and information of inside and outside the country. 3. Use the worldwide internet. 4. Own or possess a book or any written or recorded material that is not approved by the Communist Party. 5. Enter a hotel or tourist area without working there. 6. Travel in country freely without question. 7. Travel internationaly. 8. Own title to any property. 9. Engage in personal business of any kind (to name a few).

Cuba is a beautiful island with beautiful heritage and people surronded by the fence of socialism making it the largest prision in the world with Laura Wayne as one of the guards.

Gary Cunningham