A People Without Representation

A People Without Representation / Fernando Damaso
Posted on March 12, 2015

Fernando Damas, 7 February 2015 — The great tragedy of the Cuban people
at the present time is that it lacks true representation. I speak of the
average Cuban citizen, who constitutes the majority of the nearly
12-million inhabitants of this Island.

The government, which during the first years of the 1960s signified hope
for a better life in a democracy for Cubans, very soon (with the
imposition of socialism and its later institutionalization and
bureaucratization) began to abandon its representation of the people's
interests and separated itself from them — being preoccupied instead
with establishing and consolidating the institutions, organizations and
mechanism to perpetuate itself in power indefinitely. Today the regime
finds itself separated by light years from the average Cuban, besides
being alienated from the hopes and dreams he has for his life.

Neither does the opposition represent the average Cuban because, besides
being unknown by the greater part of the citizenry, its platforms are
more along philosophical and intellectual lines than practical solutions
to the problems related to low wages, the housing shortage, terrible
services, nutritional needs, the high cost of living, and other daily
issues, which occupy the time and minds of those who struggle day-to-day
to survive with their families.

This situation is easy to perceive on the street.

At this moment, although it is painful to admit, the majority of Cubans
care little if their government is a dictatorship or a democracy: what
matters to them is the opportunity to work, to earn enough money and
solve their immediate material problems, thus raising their wellbeing
and that of their families.

This means the ability to acquire what is needed to feed and dress
themselves, and live in a decent home. In addition, they want to enjoy
good services, even if they have to pay for them, and have disposable
income for recreation.

Too many have been the years of limitations and shortages while pursuing
false chimeras. The speeches and promises, come from where they might,
have lost their effectiveness and are no longer of interest.

Whoever can ensure a solution will have the support of the majority of
citizens and, whoever does not, will have their full rejection. It is
that simple.

This necessitates, from both those who govern as well as their
opponents, a serious revision of tactics and strategies, if they desire
to reach the hearts and minds of the inhabitants of this country.

These are not times for walking in the clouds, visualizing pleasant
projects for a virtual future, but rather for having one's feet on the
ground and mobilizing average Cubans to resolve the present problems.
All else will come later.

Translated by: Alicia Barraqué Ellison

Source: A People Without Representation / Fernando Damaso | Translating
Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/a-people-without-representation-fernando-damaso/