>>Can we base our universal healthcare proposals on countries >>that have done it without the authoritarianism and human >>rights violations please?
You're entirely correct there are many other examples of western democracies that can stand as models. However, I believe the reason Cuba was chosen was precisely to elicit a reaction. A story comparing mortality rates in the US to those in Canada, the UK or France would have fallen by the wayside. For one reason or another, the mention of Cuba generates attention and reactions - as attested to by this post itself.
You're entirely correct there are many other examples of western democracies that can stand as models. However, I believe the reason Cuba was chosen was precisely to elicit a reaction. A story comparing mortality rates in the US to those in Canada, the UK or France would have fallen by the wayside. For one reason or another, the mention of Cuba generates attention and reactions - as attested to by this post itself.