I've seen the terrible poverty in Cuba. I've seen it also in Mexico and Trinidad. It exists throughout Latin America. The reason Cuba's dire poverty is quoted by conservatives as a proof that Cuba is "bad" while poverty elsewhere in corporate-run Latin America is not even mentioned or spoken of in the same breath, is this: Cuba did not cooperate with grand corporate policy. The other countries did.

Period.

Meanwhile, Cuba has far less crime than those other countries, and far better educational systems for all its citizens and free medical care for all as well.

That's why I like Cuba. They stood up and fought for their rights, just like the American revolutionaries did back in 1776. And they won. So far.