residing in South Florida. Also, Cuba has no oil for us to kiss their asses over or strategically important areas that we'd want to base out of.


But mostly it's the voting block.

Cuban-Americans voted for Obama in 2012 by a margin of 48%, the largest to ever break for a Democrat candidate. The old time Cuban expatriados and their rabid conservatism are dying off. The younger Cubans are more liberal and don't have any allegiance or ties to any regime in pre-Castro Cuba, although the older crowd do still have the most shrill voices and places in government. For now.

just like the rest of the electorate. It's one of the main reasons the Republicans now spend most of their efforts on obstructing voting rather than encouraging it.

It drives so much of politics.

bingo! Take the Saudis oil and give it to Cuba and just see how fast we warm up to our southern friends in Cuba. And see how fast we drop Saudi.

/I would love to see both happen

we won't be friends with the Saudis for long.

That's the answer to your question.

As for why we support countries that don't support our values, US foreign policy has always favored stability over being a perfect match. That's why we consider Saudi Arabia a partner.

The less the West and the world depends on its oil the more critical they are likely to be about the repression there.

...... is our buddy, at least ephemerally. Remember, we once had decent relations with Saddam.

Our government does NOTHING based on just principle.

n/t

but to keep and expand their pieces of the pie.

I am fairly certain the answer is NONE.

Conversely, Cuba confiscated a lot of property and wealth owned by Americans. They have never offered to make restitution. Friendship with Cuba was never going to happen until the owners were in their graves.

Their heirs won't feel the same loss. Which is why we are starting to see a thaw in the animosity.