There is a disease running rampant throughout the world these days -- Governmental Virtual Reality. It seems that our elected peers are living in their own little virtual world. I present the following in support of of my argument: The Helms-Burton Bill.
It would seem, looking on from this country (Canada), that some US politicians should either take a pill or at least a few days away from Washington to notice that there have been a few changes in the world since the 1960's. Cuba is no-longer a missile base for the Soviet Union (which doesn't even exist any more). And the fact that a few well-attached American families such as the Duponts and Kennedys lost a little bit of money when the Castro Communists took over is irrelevant.
If the US demands restitution, then perhaps the politicians should first raise taxes in order to pay back the money that their own revolutionary fore-fathers absconded from the British some 200+ years ago (with interest, of course, compounded semi-annually at an annual rate of 4%). As someone who is probably just a bit rightwing of Atilla the Hun, myself, at least when it comes to capitalism, and also having visited Cuba a number of times, I can safely say that their beaches (if not their social structure) are more capitalistic than Acapulco, and that the US Dollar is prefered as payment by the locals to Cuban Pesos. In fact, if it weren't for the black market economy in some areas, there would hardly be one at all. Communism? Politically, yes, but practically, no.
So what are these Honourable (I use the term loosely) US Politicians going to do to prevent trade with this little island? Boycott companies that trade there? Well, that would include Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Frito Lay / Hostess, Toyota, almost every sugar manufacturer, many large hotel chains, tobacco manufacturers, oil companies, etc., etc., etc..
And guess where many of the American fishing charters anchor when they're out for long Carribean excursions from Florida? Why, Cuba, of course. It's even amazing how many Americans cross the border to Canada en route to a Cuban vacation in the winter. In fact, they've even got Florida strain bass that grow as big as those in Castaic in California, but without the huge depths!
You see, Cuba does not have an embargo against the US. It's only the other way around. So get it together guys and gals in Washington. Just think of what all that money you put into embargo programs and administration could do to help internal problems.
Government Budgeting.
Speaking of internal funding, another pet peeve (this time world-wide) involves all of our governments' inability to get their heads out of the ground long enough to see what's happening to our beloved outdoors. This month's TFN Magazine includes articles from both the Colorado Fishing Federation and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters that specifically back up this point.
When are 'our' elected officials going to understand that not only are the world's great outdoor places necessary to protect ecological systems, but they are also responsible for a good many jobs as well? How much of your country, state or province's income is derived from tourism? And how many of those tourism funds have, in part, to do with the outdoors, whether it be hunting, fishing, camping, sightseeing, rollerblading, mountain biking, or whatever?
Isn't it possible that putting money ack into our remaining outdoor space might be a self-serving proposition, which, if I remember correctly, is one of the major requirements of any legislation?
JEEZ! get it together! I'm not a raving enviro-nut, but just what would happen if all the money collected from all the fees charged to enjoy the outdoors -- from licenses, park fees, trailer fees, etc.,-- actually was spent in protecting and enhancing the outdoors so that it could continue to be enjoyed (and paid for by us)?
Since when did Government (I use a capital "G" because you're supposed to when you refer to God) receive a mandate to dictate what's best for us. Don't they represent us? What type of representation are we receiving? These are the types of questions we must ask every single potential public servant before we vote for them. I've got a few more thoughts on this subject, but I've worked up such a sweat at this point that I'd better go fishing before my blood pressure explodes.
So until next month, Until next month...
(tight lines, get it wet, good fishin', see you on the water, etc., etc.).
Scott M. Binnie, Managing Editor
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