Byron Dorgan: “I want to bring democracy to Cuba. After 40 years of failure with an embargo that doesn't work, it seems that we ought…”

“I want to bring democracy to Cuba. After 40 years of failure with an embargo that doesn't work, it seems that we ought to try something else. I have been to Cuba. What I learned there is that Fidel Castro says the reason the Cuban economy is in deep trouble is because the United States has its hands around the Cuban economy's neck. This embargo is what they blame for Cuba's economic troubles. I am not saying that Fidel Castro is right. I am just saying this embargo has been Fidel Castro's biggest and best excuse for all of the shortcomings of his regime. He uses it, has continued to use it, and he says to the Cuban people that is the reason they have this trouble. In any event, it seems to me at some point you would learn a lesson. Fidel Castro has been in power in Cuba through 10 U.S. Presidents. Clearly, what we have been doing has not been working. How about trying something different?”