Summaries From the Economist.com
Cuba under the guidance of Raul Castro is becoming more progressive–since he took over about 2 years ago. They are now allowed to purchase DVD players and have cell phones. More significantly farmers can now buy their own supplies and equipment and farm more state land. There are possibilities that private enterprise may have a larger rule in Cuba in teh future.
Bolivia : On August 10 the public will vote to reject or confirm Evo Morales (socialist president) and their regional governors.
Morales, of radical leaning, has been president for 2 yrs and since then has re-imposed state control on the oil industry. He wants to impose a new constitution that would increase state control over the economy and increase “presidential powers.’
Those opposing Morales, in the oil rich country, support autonomy, and dislike Morale’s plan to decrease their share of oil and to create land reform. Because Morale took control of the oil, he does not have the economic problems of his predecessors, public spending has risen, and fiscally they are in the black which = popularity.
