If They're Serious About Saving / Fernando Damaso

If They're Serious About Saving / Fernando Damaso
Posted on April 2, 2013

The country's leading authorities continually talk about the need to
save resources and use the limited ones that are available for important
issues, to support development and help in solving the many existing
problems and overcoming the shortages. Undoubtedly, it is a fair demand,
but it would be even more so, if they looked within themselves, and
decided to save on those government activities that represent large
expenditures and provide no wealth.

I am referring to the high subsidies enjoyed by the so-called mass
organizations (CDR, FMC, CTC, ANAP, FEU, FEEM and others)*, institutions
that present themselves as NGOs, but are, in fact, far from it; they are
organized, directed and primarily funded by the State and solidarity
groups abroad and while visiting Cuba; in addition there are some
political campaigns, including that for "The Five**" (with the current
adaptation of a mansion in El Vedado*** for its headquarters), payment
of attorneys and multiple trips around the world for their families.

If they reduced the inflated payrolls of professional staff of these
organizations, groups and campaigns, we would see a substantial savings
in salaries, travel and maintenance, along with the great amount of free
transport, housing and locales (usually the best), in municipalities as
well as and in the provinces, helping to increase the housing stock to
the public.

These measures don't need commissions nor long studies and experiments
for their implementation, as the sad reality already one of general
control. If these savings also include major political organizations and
some super-ministries, which enjoy carte blanche to own vehicles of all
types, buildings, homes and locales (often underutilized), the results
would be even greater and would be approved by the majority of citizens.

That is, if you really want to save, there is enough fabric available to
cut within the State, without trying to apply them only to ordinary
Cubans, demanding greater sacrifices.

Translator's notes:
*All of these organizations are arms of the government: CDR =Committees
for the Defense of the Revolution (the block watch groups); FMC =
Federation of Cuban Women; CTC = Cuban Workers Union; ANAP = National
Association of Small Farmers ; FEU = Federation of University Students;
FEEM = Federation of High School Students.

**"The Five" refers to five Cubans found guilty of spying in the United
States. Four of the five remain in prison. The Cuban government
presents them as national heroes unjustly convicted.

***El Vedado is one of the nicer neighborhoods in Havana.

30 March 2013

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