So, tell me about Cuba.

[fencesitter]

When I was growing up, I was taught Cuba was this communist ally of the Soviet Union where all people were denied everything America holds sacred and was part of the socialist plot of world domination. The place has always been a mystery to me, I only know of boat people, cigars, sugar and the Bay of Pigs. Cuba has been ignored in American history or geography lessons. I think I learned most of what I know from the movie "Havana" with Redford(?).
Now, with my twisted leftist brain, I think revolutions are borne when an oppressed and exploited majority rise up and overthrow the corrupt and usually over-priviledged party in power. I mean, it takes a big force to overthrow an established government, its' military, money and influence. So, obviously, the government is not serving the people.
The refugees in Miami, are they the exploiters chased from Cuba or poor souls escaping a repressive regime? What makes the Gonzales kids hop on rafts and paddle to Key West? What do the citizens of Cuba want? I'm sure American corporations would love another country of poor workers to exploit for low wages, it's a lot closer than Indonesia. But, from what I have been able to gather, Cubans on the whole are not doing too bad. Literacy is 97%, education is free, health care is guaranteed. You can't buy a new SUV in every town, but is that what they want? I never really thought about it till now, but I don't know diddly about this country.