Doug Farrow: Mexico worth the effort, but Cuba is not

Cuba or Mexico? Brain freeze at the highest level. I have heard no logical reason to deal with Cuba, let alone Russia and China.

Cuba has been an enemy since the Cuban Missile Crisis. Mexico is trying to become an enemy by allowing criminals to run wild and not enforcing its border. We can salvage Mexico, but don’t waste time on Cuba

Mexico is trying to promote its version of democracy, but as yet, we share only the corruption aspect. I do not expect Cuba to give up communism until Raul’s demise, if at all. Economically, does Cuba have any trade value to us other than rum and cigars? Should we lose our money in Cuban casinos or in Vegas?

We have, Pacific and Gulf shores in common with Mexico which we can jointly protect by using barge mounted Coast Guard stations and ships. How about barge-mounted desalinization plants on all coasts? In cooperation with Mexico, we could establish an international border at the tip of Mexico as a barrier from terrorists and South American refugees (i.e. 350 miles vs. 2,500).

We have thousands of family ties between Mexicans and Americans who want closer ties with each other. Many fewer Americans have family ties with Cuba.

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 5:24 PM with the headline "Doug Farrow: Mexico worth the effort, but Cuba is not."