Propping up a Dictator

The Chronicle thinks that the US should end its remaining ban on trade with Cuba. The reason:

Texas A&M economists have put a pencil to the numbers and they estimate passage of the bill would create 6,000 new jobs in this country's ag sector while boosting sales of agricultural products by about $365 million. A good chunk of that would benefit Texas.

The paper even goes so far as to claim that ending the ban might help loosen Castro's death grip on Cuba. Sort of like the way talks between the Palestinians and Israelis have resulted in peace in the Middle East.

Certainly, increased trade might help some Texas farmers and ranchers. But the real beneficiary will be Castro, who controls any "profits" generated within Cuba from that trade. To support increased trade with Cuba is to support a dictator.