This appeared on the Editorial Page of the Richmond Times-Dispatch July
7, 2008 . If you think it is appropriate for the times, pass it on.

Editor Times-Dispatch

Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice. On June 30 I
celebrate my independence day and on July 4 I celebrate America 's.
This year is special because it marks the 40th anniversary of my
independence.
On June 30, 1968 , I escaped Communist Cuba and a few months later I was
in the United States to stay. That I happened to arrive in Richmond on
Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress.
I've thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The election-year
rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there.
In the late 1950's, most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, and they
were right. So when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at least
receptive.
When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced
the old system, the press fell in love with him. They never questioned
who his friends were or what he really believed in. When he said he
would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care and
education to all, everyone followed. When he said he would bring
justice and equality to all, everyone said "Praise the Lord". And when
the young leader said, "I wil be for change and I'll bring you change,
everyone yelled, "Viva Fidel!"
But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner's guns
went silent the people's guns had been taken away. By the time everyone
was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time
everyone received their free education it was worth nothing. By the
time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working
for him. By the time the change was finally implemented Cuba had been
knocked down a couple of notches to Third-World status. By the time the
change was over more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts,
and inner tubes. You can call those who made it ashore anywhere else in
the world most fortunate Cubans. And now I'm back to the beginning of
my story.
Luckily, we would never fall in America for a left leaning young leader
who promised change without asking, what change? How will you carry it
out? What will it cost America ?

Would we?

Manuel Alvarez, Jr.
Sandy Hook , VA