Last week, a bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives took a major step toward loosening of the travel restrictions that prevent Americans from visiting Cuba. High time, I say!

The House Agricultural Committee approved a bill (a bi-partisan bill, no less! WOW!) that will allow our farmers to export food to Cuba (a financial benefit to our  farmers and a humanitarian benefit for the Cuban people … some would call that a “win-win”) . . . and lift the decades-old travel ban.

From what I read, passage is far from certain. But dialogue is a good thing …. and advancing this issue to the forefront of foreign policy is long overdue. People-to-people connections are the only way we’re ever going to break the barriers that create suspicion and distrust. The Cuban people are not our enemy. Their government? Certainly not perfect. But there’s something to be said for a stable society with excellent healthcare and an enviable education system. Strong support for the arts. Artistic expression through music and dancing. Certainly no worse than many of our allies.

Our decades-old policy is embarrassing and ineffective. It’s time to change it. Viva Cuba!