Lifting sanctions helps Kansas farmers, Cuban people

GOP lawmakers tend to reflexively oppose nearly everything that President Obama supports. But the delegation should back lifting trade barriers with Cuba. Easing these barriers would significantly benefit Kansas wheat producers, which is one reason why Kansas Sens. Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts – along with business and agriculture groups – have championed such legislation in the past. Expanded trade also would be more effective at promoting democracy than the current sanctions, which have punished the Cuban people for more than 50 years. As Obama said: “These 50 years have shown that isolation has not worked. It’s time for a new approach.” – Phillip Brownlee

This story was originally published December 19, 2014 at 6:06 PM.