Cuba is known for the old cars still kept in mint condition. You may think it is just because of pride and it is – the pride of ownership. In Cuba these old cars are one of the few things one is allowed to own in the communist paradise.

Castro believed in the communist ideal and despised capitalism. Private property is a capitalist evil. He hated the extremes of wealth and poverty that existed under Batista and that he associated with capitalist nations.

Cuba was the Paris of Latin America. Only Buenos Aires was comparable. The architecture is beautiful with classic European styles, but these properties are now owned by the state and you are given housing from the central agency. Real estate is not privately owned to be bought and sold.

The result is that these architectural marvels are in deplorable condition. Most of them look like they have had no maintenance or paint in fifty years. In this land of communist equality that average monthly income is $15. Maintenance supplies are scarce; no Home Depots or Walmarts. The government determines what is needed. Even if supplies were available, and even if you did have the money, there is no incentive to spend your money to maintain a building you do not own.

Cars are also owned by the state UNLESS you had a car in Cuba before 1959. You can buy and sell or trade a car you owned before that date. If you acquire a car after that date it was from the government and you cannot trade it. You can only pass it down to your family members.

So those beautiful old cars, owned before 1959, are meticulously maintained. It is not uncommon to see a Cuban with little net worth riding down the street in a beautifully reconditioned 1957 Chevy worth $25,000.

Even in the middle of the Communist egalitarian utopia, you can witness the benefits of private property and capitalism.

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