Re: Bush \"Supports the Cuban People\" While Maintaining Economic Sancti
 

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How long have the economic sanctions been in place and how has it caused the Castro regime to fold?

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Huh? They've been in place like 40 years, and they keep the Castro regime *in power*, rather than causing it to "fold".

Re: Bush \"Supports the Cuban People\" While Maintaining Economic Sanctions
 

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Pretty sure it would be Congress.

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Could a state legislature technically repeal the embargo in regards to their state, or does the federally impose sanctions trump that?

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Lincoln pretty much nixed this; states can no longer nullify Federal law.

Although, I suppose they could nullify *that* law.

Re: Bush \"Supports the Cuban People\" While Maintaining Economic Sanctions
 

If you guys want to do a Constitutional argument, the combination of the Supremacy clause, the Commerce clause and Congress's power to levy tariffs should make it clear that the Feds have power over foreign trade.

As far as the reason for the embargo, yes the Cuban immigrant community is largely responsible. However, this is beginning to change. The 2nd generation of immigrants that really has no knowledge of Cuba largely opposes the embargo and polling shows that only half of the Cubans support the embargo. Obama likely picked up on this which is why he's the first major candidate that I'm aware of that proposes loosening the embargo. Its just that the embargo supporters control the organizations, are the loudest and donate the most money.

Edit: I just looked and the Constitution specifically says Congress shall have the power to regulate trade with foreign nations.

Re: Bush \"Supports the Cuban People\" While Maintaining Economic Sanctions
 

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Lincoln pretty much nixed this; states can no longer nullify Federal law.

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Specifically how did he do this, and how is it still kept in effect? And how do we change it back?

Amendment? Law? Court precedent?

Re: Bush \"Supports the Cuban People\" While Maintaining Economic Sancti
 

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Lincoln pretty much nixed this; states can no longer nullify Federal law.

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Specifically how did he do this, and how is it still kept in effect? And how do we change it back?

Amendment? Law? Court precedent?

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Military conquest.

Re: Bush \"Supports the Cuban People\" While Maintaining Economic Sancti
 

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How long have the economic sanctions been in place and how has it caused the Castro regime to fold?

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Huh? They've been in place like 40 years, and they keep the Castro regime *in power*, rather than causing it to "fold".

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Not only have them kept the Castro regime in power, they very nearly caused the end of the world. After the Cuban revolution where Batista was overthrown, Castro was very popular in the US (among citizens obv). Of course, he was very unpopular with large corporations who's business in Cuba he nationalized. He was also unpopular with the government, partially because of those large corporations lobbying them, but also because at that point nationalist=communist in their eyes. Cue US sanctions and refusal to make trade agreements with Cuba, which then pushed Cuba towards the Soviets. And from there we have the Cuban Missile Crisis, which came unbelievably close to ending the world.

Re: Bush \"Supports the Cuban People\" While Maintaining Economic Sanctions
 

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Lincoln pretty much nixed this; states can no longer nullify Federal law.

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Specifically how did he do this, and how is it still kept in effect? And how do we change it back?

Amendment? Law? Court precedent?

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I'd have to look up the details, but basically military conquest as said before. After the war the southern states were ejected from the Union (I [censored] you not) and as a condition of being allowed to re-enter, their legislatures (convened under the eyes of regional military dictatorships) were forced to amend their constitutions and ratify the 13th and 14th ammendments to the US constitution, IIRC.

For example, in my state's constitution:

"Sec. 4. Secession prohibited.

This State shall ever remain a member of the American Union; the people thereof are part of the American nation; there is no right on the part of this State to secede; and all attempts, from whatever source or upon whatever pretext, to dissolve this Union or to sever this Nation, shall be resisted with the whole power of the State.


Sec. 5. Allegiance to the United States.

Every citizen of this State owes paramount allegiance to the Constitution and government of the United States, and no law or ordinance of the State in contravention or subversion thereof can have any binding force."

Re: Bush \"Supports the Cuban People\" While Maintaining Economic Sancti
 

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Lincoln pretty much nixed this; states can no longer nullify Federal law.

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Specifically how did he do this, and how is it still kept in effect? And how do we change it back?

Amendment? Law? Court precedent?

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Lincoln did not change anything. The constitution is pretty clear in saying that this is a federal issue.

No Republican will lift the embargo. The Cuban vote is too important, and they WOULD lose it if they lifted the embargo.

Re: Bush \"Supports the Cuban People\" While Maintaining Economic Sancti
 

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No Republican will lift the embargo. The Cuban vote is too important, and they WOULD lose it if they lifted the embargo.

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Why do Cubans want the embargo? Do they hate the people still stuck on the island?

Re: Bush \"Supports the Cuban People\" While Maintaining Economic Sancti
 

They hate Castro more than they like the Cuban citizens.