Cuba 'Celebrates' 50 Years of Communism

Perhaps it's the Cuban government that is celebrating, but as for "the people," in whose name the revolution was conducted 50 years ago, that's expected to be "low key," according to BBC News.

So, how has 50 years of a total lack of political and economic freedom worked out?

According to the CIA, "The average Cuban's standard of living remains at a lower level than before the downturn of the 1990s, which was caused by the loss of Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies." Further, "The government continues to balance the need for economic loosening against a desire for firm political control. It has rolled back limited reforms undertaken in the 1990s to increase enterprise efficiency and alleviate serious shortages of food, consumer goods, and services."

That's right, in recent years Cuba decided to abandon the limited "reforms" it tried in the 1990's to move the economy out of a completely hapless state, only to revert back to a purer form of Communism -- meaning, one that works even less.

Unfortunatey for the Cuban people, Cuba continually proves the folly of statism and serves as an example what results when those who demand government control of the economy have their way.

BBC: Cuba Marks 50 Years of Revolution
CIA World Fact Book: Cuba