Cuba’s struggling economy continued to falter in recent days; prompting government officials to regulate meat rations and other consumer goods as the communist nation’s food supplies dwindle.
“A 91-year-old former comrade of Cuba’s late dictator Fidel Castro recently startled Cubans when he announced government plans to breed ostriches to help feed the masses,” reports the Wall Street Journal. “Comandante Guillermo García raved on Cuba’s main TV news show about the giant flightless bird, ‘which produces more [meat] than a cow.’ The comandante, who runs some of Cuba’s cattle-breeding operations, also extolled the meat of the hutia, a giant rodent endemic to the island, as better than beef.”
“Pushed by the implosion of top ally Venezuela and sanctions imposed by the Trump administration, Cuba has driven into an economic ditch. The government has tightened state rations. Residents stand in lines for hours to buy scarce basic goods such as eggs, flour and chicken,” added the newspaper.
Cuba’s communist revolution is under increased pressure from US sanctions and a less-than-expected harvest season; with millions complaining of food shortages and long lines at super markets across the socialist country.
“Long lines outside shops with mostly bare shelves are increasingly common in Cuba, and the government has indeed signaled that things are going from bad to worse,” reports Reuters.
Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel blamed the Trump administration on the shortages; saying Washington was engaged in “asphyxiating financial persecution that makes the import of goods and resources of primary necessity particularly difficult.”
“While the crisis will not be as bad as in the 1990s, it will have a worrying social impact on the most vulnerable households, which are already on subsistence salaries,” said Pavel Vidal, a Cuban economist.
“This could be a critical moment that generates the consensus necessary to apply changes,” said Vidal. “The government needs to give more space to the private sector and investment.”
Experts warn the food shortages could be a predictor of a general economic collapse; similar to the escalating crisis sweeping Venezuela.
Read the full report at the Wall Street Journal.
LIBERAL UTOPIA: California Has 8 of 10 Worst Polluted Cities in USA
The hyper-liberal state of California got some more bad news this week, with the American Lung Association ranking eight of America’s top ten most polluted cities within its borders.
“Forget the Golden State. California should be called the Smoggy State,” writes USA Today. “Eight of the USA’s 10 most-polluted cities, in terms of ozone pollution, are in California.”
“Near record-setting heat from our changing climate has resulted in dangerous levels of ozone in many cities across the country, making ozone an urgent health threat for millions of Americans,” said Lung Association President and CEO Harold P. Wimmer.
The failing grade comes after the San Francisco Tourism Board begged local authorities to clamp down on rampant crime and rising homelessness; saying “there’s trash everywhere.”
“The streets are filthy. There’s trash everywhere. It’s disgusting,” said the head of San Francisco’s visitors’ bureau. “I’ve never seen any other city like this — the homelessness, dirty streets, drug use on the streets, smash-and-grabs.”
LIBERAL UTOPIA: Nation’s Largest Cities ‘Drowning in Debt,’ NYC Tax Burden $85K+ PER PERSON
The nation’s ten largest cities -traditionally Democratic strongholds- are currently “drowning in debt” as the tax burden per resident is reportedly skyrocketing under pressure from pensions, government programs, public education, and more.
According to a recent study, the average tax burden in New York City is over $85,000 per resident. In Chicago the combined tax burden is a stunning $119,000.
“The Chicago City Council approved $2.4 billion in tax subsidies for two major developments in early April. Protesters gathered at City Hall chanting against the deals. Critics said the projects are in prosperous parts of Chicago and developers should pay for infrastructure improvements, not taxpayers,” reports Fox News.
- Chicago’s combined Taxpayer Burden: $119,110
- New York City’s combined Taxpayer Burden: $85,600
- Los Angeles’ combined Taxpayer Burden: $56,390
- Philadelphia’s combined Taxpayer Burden: $50,120
- San Jose’s combined Taxpayer Burden: $43,120
- San Diego’s combined Taxpayer Burden: $35,410
- Dallas’ combined Taxpayer Burden: $33,490
- Houston’s combined Taxpayer Burden: $22,940
- San Antonio’s combined Taxpayer Burden: $16,660
- Phoenix’s combined Taxpayer Burden: $13,290
Experts say the massive burden is caused by “unfunded retirement obligations” that have been promised to city workers for decades, with current estimates placing the figure at $40 billion in retirement benefits.
“The largest cities in the U.S. issue so-called ‘Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports,’ but most of them aren’t so comprehensive,” Bill Bergman, Truth in Accounting’s director of research, told Fox News via email.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled his plan to provide healthcare for all residents -regardless of citizenship status- just months ago.
“Health care is a right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it,” said Mayor de Blasio. “While the federal government works to gut health care for millions of Americans, New York City is leading the way by guaranteeing that every New Yorker has access to quality, comprehensive access to care, regardless of immigration status or their ability to pay.”
Read the full report at Fox News.
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