+bonifartius 𒂼𒄄
i always wonder how cuba would fare if they'd be not under constant bullshit embargo from the west. they are probably doing something right, given how well their health system works under these circumstances and compared to similar countries.
on the other hand, the embargos may well be what enables the level of autonomy they have. can't get your stuff spoiled by ultracaplitalist bullshit if you are embagoed.
it's still a dictatorship, i know. the west isn't really going to be much better if we continue with the bullshit currently done, namely reduction of freedom in every direction.
@bonifartius it's worth pointing out that often times when Americans look at Cuban & Venezuelan stats on things like healthcare they fail to see that those numbers have been cooked up to make the government look good. If you actually speak to regular folks from these two nations you'll realize this is far from the truth.
@zpartacoos yes, of course. on the other hand, cuba exports health personel and usually those people are welcome everywhere they go, because they are quite good.
their covid (classic) vaccine seems to work rather well, i don't really believe the 92% though. then, our numbers about those things are quite possible exaggerated too, because $$$.
what gets reported are protests against the government, but we also have those here, just look at france.
@bonifartius no doubt, speaking from experience, Cuban doctors are great and indeed as you mentioned they tend to have a good reputation around the world. I actually have some theories for why that's the case but that's prob for another thread.
I was merely pointing out that for example when it comes to literacy, mortality, crime and other relevant rates. You can see that the "official" numbers often vary wildly from everyday reality depending on what the government wants at that time and place. You want to put armed national guards in places where people oppose or protest you? Say that there is a high crime rate in that area to justify heavier policing of protestors. You have gangs terrorizing people and don't want to start a police-gang war? Say that that area is completely safe so police don't need to go there, etc.
Also, as you said I'm aware some of this stuff happens in the "west" too but instead of being the government in control of policies you have companies acting through lobbying.
@zpartacoos yeah, it's probably the same everywhere. e.g. they do _anything_ to fix the unemployment numbers in germany, "1€ jobs" etc. in other forms of government the bullshitting is just much more obvious ;)
