A Meddling State / Fernando Dámaso

A Meddling State / Fernando Dámaso
Fernando Dámaso, Translator: Unstated

The State, in most countries, developed or otherwise, tends to occupy
itself with fundamental questions, facilitating the development and
happiness of its citizens. To do this it regulates, through laws, and
controls, through bodies and institutions created for that purpose, the
harmonious relations of the various interests: economic, political,
social, etc.

The Cuban State is unique unto itself and, therefore, different from all
the others. First, in addition to insanely centralizing all issues
considered fundamental, it also concerns itself, insanely, in
innumerable trivial matters which, if it weren't so tragic in terms of
consequences, would be laughable.

Among these we find: the establishment of offices that allow citizens to
work for themselves (professions not established are prohibited); the
types of food and number of ounces per person that can be obtained (for
a fee) monthly in the so-called "basic basket" which is subsidized; the
style of clothes and shoes sold to workers in the state enterprise and
the delivery schedules; the ounces of bread, cheese and ham that must be
in a snack, a midnight treat or a sandwich in the State snack bars and
their respective prices; the types of light bulbs used for illumination;
the market and bakery where you must shop; the childcare center and
school where you must send your children and teenagers, etc. The list
could be infinite, but the same here is sufficient.

This mania of inserting themselves in everything, and trying to have the
first and last word, have resulted in political, economic and social
chaos in the country, enjoyed by most of us. The absurd interference in
all aspects of society and the individual is such that the average
citizen has been forced to devise ways, forms and methods to avoid so
many regulations, norms, controls, regulations, guidelines and all the
nonsense of this kind, establishing oneself in practice, in order to
subsist: the black market, the double standard, widespread theft, the
latter covered under the euphemistic name of "resolving."

From a predominantly ho sent country, where only some politicians
steal, we have become a country of criminals where, from dawn to dusk we
are "resolving." It would be desirable that in the update of the model,
which they go on and on about, they were to pay preferential attention
to this problem and realize the real solution is for the State to stop
being such a busybody.

May 12 2012

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