Month: May 2024

U.S. Official Says U.S. Will Not Negotiate Removal of Cuba as State Sponsor of Terrorism    

On April 30, Brian Nichols, the U.S. Undersecretary of State for the Western Hemisphere, conducted a press conference in Miami, Florida.[i]

He said, “The list of countries sponsoring terrorism is not something we can negotiate ; it is a legal process of analysis within various Government departments that finally reaches the Secretary of State for designation. The importance of respecting people’s rights is a different issue.”

He also said that the Biden Administration does not see a fracture in the power leadership of the Cuban regime. “I think instead of speculating after 60 years of that it’s better to focus on the government’s actions.”

On another topic, Nichols mentioned some of the possible Cuban changes that the US and the international community would see as a gesture of goodwill: “They can implement policies that allow more democracy, more freedom of expression. Release the political prisoners they hold, allow peaceful expression and differences with the Government. Allowing broader private economic activities. All of this would be a favorable change for the Cuban people and would be something very welcome by the international community.”

[i] Brian A. Nichols: ‘the removal of Havana from the list of state sponsors of terrorism is not negotiated, Diario de Cuba (May 1, 2024).

More Thoughts on U.S. Low Fertility Rate 

A previous post discussed the issues arising out of the recent record low fertility rate in the U.S.[1] A more recent article added additional thoughts on this development.[2]

First, recent Gallup polling data shows that 45% of respondents said three or more kids was ideal, the highest level since 1971. And American teenage and adult women for decades have desired more kids much higher than the actual fertility rates. That suggests the U.S. should help women achieve the family size they want.

Second, a population that fails to replace itself can face serious challenges. It can lead to stagnant or declining living standards.  It also means fewer workers are available to care for the growing elderly population and pay for its retirement benefits. Already the typical American senior citizen receives more Social Security and Medicare payments than they paid into the system. This problem will worsen as the ratio of retirees to working-age Americans grows.

In fact, this last problem is worse than government numbers suggest because they assume a higher future fertility rate than we have been experiencing.

As a result, the U.S. should adopt policies like mandatory paid maternity leave, lower tax burden for families with young kids, improved access to reproductive care and abortions in emergencies. Of course, increased immigration is another solution.

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[1] U.S. Fertility Rate Falls to Record Low, dwkcommentaries.com (April 25, 2024).

[2] Rampell, Americans are having too few kids. The GOP made the problem worse, Wash. Post (May 1, 2024).