Clinton on Castro
With Fidel Castro deciding to step down as president of Cuba, the candidates are weighing in. Here’s Hillary Clinton at an event in Parma, OH:
“Fidel Castro has decided to step down as the leader of Cuba. And I think this provides a great opportunity for the people of Cuba. I’m hoping that the new leadership will take steps to move Cuba toward democracy, release political prisoners, lift a lot of the oppressive burdens that have prevented the Cuban people from really having the kind of future they deserve to have.
Certainly, the people of the United States would meet a new government to talk about what needs to happen if that new government takes some action that demonstrates they’re willing to change. So we’re hoping we’ll see some evidence of that. But it is a very stark reminder that even if you’ve been in power for 50 years, you cannot hold on to power forever. And people of Cuba deserve to have leadership that respects their human rights, and gives them the opportunity to fulfill their own destiny
We need a president who will work with countries around the world, in Europe and the western hemisphere to push Cuba now to join the community of nations, and to become a democracy. And I will certainly do that as president.”
Read her paper statement after the jump.
Statement from Hillary Clinton
“As you know, Fidel Castro announced that he is stepping down as Cuba’s leader after 58 years of one-man rule. The new leadership in Cuba will face a stark choice—continue with the failed policies of the past that have stifled democratic freedoms and stunted economic growth—or take a historic step to bring Cuba into the community of democratic nations. The people of Cuba want to seize this opportunity for real change and so must we.
“I would say to the new leadership, the people of the United States are ready to meet you if you move forward towards the path of democracy, with real, substantial reforms. The people of Cuba yearn for the opportunity to get out from under the weight of this authoritarian regime, which has held back 11 million talented and hardworking citizens of the Americas. The new government should take this opportunity to release political prisoners and to take serious steps towards democracy that give their people a real voice in their government.
“The American people have been on the side in the Cuban people’s struggle for freedom and democracy in the past and we will be on their side for democracy in the future.
“As President, I will engage our partners in Latin America and Europe who have a strong stake in seeing a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba, and who want very much for the United States to play a constructive role to that end. The United States must pursue an active policy that does everything possible to advance the cause of freedom, democracy and opportunity in Cuba.
“The events of the past three days, including elections in Pakistan and Kosovo’s declaration of independence, are a vivid illustration of people around the world yearning for democracy and opportunity. We need a President with the experience to recognize and seize these opportunities to advance America’s values and interests around the world. I will be that President.”
Tags: cuba, Fidel Castro, hillary clinton, ohio
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Oddly enough, her response is merely words. I’m certain that I read them. Only words.
It’s very likely her handlers did some internal polling before she spoke. Sounds alot like what the State Department could that be plagirism since it wasn’t entirely novel? http://www.politiporn.com
I wonder if Hillary will agree with this or wait until the polls show otherwise.
SPITZER ‘CRACK TAX’ PROTECTS DRUGGIES
By KENNETH LOVETT Post Correspondent
January 24, 2008 — ALBANY - Dealers and users who pay a proposed state levy on illicit drugs - dubbed the “crack tax” by critics - would not be turned over to police by tax officials under a plan being pushed by Gov. Spitzer.
Spitzer, in his 2008-09 budget proposal unveiled Tuesday, said he wants to create a tax stamp for illegal drugs, similar to such stamps used for cigarettes, which he says would raise $13 million in the coming fiscal year and $17 million annually after that.
According to a memo explaining the eyebrow-raising proposal, “The bill contains a unique and strict secrecy requirement, preserving the confidentiality of any information obtained from a dealer.”
Disclosure of the information in some cases would be allowed for a criminal or civil proceeding involving taxes.
But “the bill specifically provides that none of the information may be used against the dealer in any criminal proceeding [other than a tax crime] unless it has been obtained independently,” the memo said.
Dubbing it the “crack tax,” state Sen. Martin Golden, a Brooklyn Republican and former city cop, called Spitzer’s plan “another pie-in-the-sky idea that really has no legitimacy, and hopefully is not a first step toward legalizing drugs.”
The plan, modeled after one in North Carolina, would require arrested drug dealers or users to purchase different tax stamps from the state.
“Upon receipt of the product, the dealer must affix enough stamps to the packages of marihuana [as it's spelled in official state legislative documents] or the controlled substance in order to show the tax has been fully paid,” according to the proposal.
A tax stamp for marijuana would cost $3.50 per gram, while one for a controlled substance, “whether pure or dilute[d],” would be $200 per gram.
Experience in other states shows that stamp collectors, not drug dealers, are the ones purchasing the tax stamps.
The taxes and any applicable fines and penalties in those states are typically collected after a person is charged and their drugs seized by police.
Spitzer aides said they realize it’s highly unlikely any drug dealers would come forward to purchase tax stamps.
That is why, they say, the governor’s proposal requires “prompt notification” of the tax commissioner by law-enforcement agencies and DAs “who obtain any information that indicates that a dealer has failed to pay the tax due.”
Well this sounds real funny for Hillary to make such comments about a country who is still under the control of the Castro family or did she not know that Fidel’s brother is in control?
When hillary loses the election and has no other place to go because America can’t stand her, maybe she can displace Fidel’s brother and establish her socia-demo-dictatorship in Cuba. Then she could really make history. 33sharks—>out
WHY IS SHE WASTING ALL THIS MONEY===SHE WILL NEVER BE PRESIDENT==SHE NEEDS TO BE IN PRISON