Lets see, according to you
1. Either do nothing which is a position you have championed for 50 years.
2. Or resolve bitter differences and move Cuba at least towards an economic model similar to what China has embraced and yes I know the human rights abuse but the people are prospering with a growing middle class which means food on the plate. Cuban leaders see this and desire the same model.

By "doing nothing," as you put it, the US is in fact doing something. They're standing up for the rights of those political prisoners who are and continue to be unjustly imprisoned. They are standing up for the rights of the Cuban people to have social, economic and political freedom.

Given the problems in Venezuela where there is no embargo, the lack of food on people's plates is due to the failures of the socialist system and not the actions or inactions of the USA.

If the Cuban government actually cared about the wellbeing of its people, it would release the political prisoners and move toward a system of truly free and open elections. But they won't do that because they love being in complete control. That's why they control 90% of the economy and 100% of the neighborhoods through the CDR.

So, Zippy, think about this. The US relaxes travel restrictions and ends the embargo. Do you honestly think the Cuban government is going to give up their control? No! They're going to be even MORE repressive against the Cuban people to ensure that the Communist party maintains control. How dare the Cuban people be influenced or moved by the so-called evils of capitalism and democracy?

I know I'm asking too much though... it's hard for people to look at the repressive history of the island and other similar regimes and draw a logical REALISTIC conclusion about their disposition.

I care about the Cuban people immensely. Every day, in every class I attend, that's all I think about -- how best to help my sister and relatives and the millions of others I don't know about. I support the embargo because I care.

Or resolve bitter differences and move Cuba at least towards an economic model similar to what China has embraced and yes I know the human rights abuse but the people are prospering with a growing middle class which means food on the plate.

Excuse me. The United States can't move Cuba to do anything. If Cuba hasn't embraced a Chinese model of free market capitalism it's because Cuba's leaders haven't wanted to move it there. In fact I could argue that a lot of the reasons to keep the embargo would be gone if Cuba would move toward the Chinese model. Then trade with Cuba would help the people not the generals that run the state-owned corporations. There's a lot of talk about the Chinese model but it's been only talk. The Chinese model means private property rights. It means private entrepreneurship. It means employees work directly for employers not the state. None of these reforms have yet been adopted by Cuba. Without them there is no Chinese model.

Simply put, it's not out turn to move a chess piece. It's been Cuba's turn for 45 years. When Cuba gets its act in order then the US can make a move. Not before.

Jeez.