Nineteen Ninety-Nine is here at last,
And Two Thousand is approaching fast.
  We are gazing ahead
  But one learns if instead
One can look at the things in the past

Back in the Fifties we drew up lists
To ferret out all Communists.
  Damage done by Red Scare
  Was far beyond repair
(If you don't believe, ask Alger Hiss)

Charges of Communism were read,
McCarthy then spoke up and said
  That we must try to guard our state
  Against those who infiltrate;
It is better to be dead than red.

McCarthy may have been a fanatic,
Acting in a way un-democratic.
  But history reveals
  That Communist ideals
Have had reaching effects quite dramatic.

Knowing Communism was a threat,
We were wary of the Soviets.
  But since Cuba was small
  It seemed no threat at all,
Because revolution hadn't happened yet.

It happened near four decades ago
Power was seized by Fidel Castro.
  When he triumphed, he said
  His mission was to spread
Communism as far as it could go.

He maintained his rule on Cuban soil
For years, while in battles embroiled.
  Castro couldn't be unseated
  Since the rebels succeeded;
High Fidel-ity kept his troops loyal.

He's survived presidents in this nation
With near two score of pure domination.
  Our presidents come and go
  Trying to oust Castro,
But they fall victim to Castro-ation.

We embargo Cuba's foreign trade,
And despite our efforts, Castro stayed.
  But new research has shown
  That the seeds are now sewn
To have Castro no longer obeyed.

The rebels are feeling discontent
With the cash flow from their government.
  And when this is combined
  With new ideas opined,
Rebellion they could foment.

Now that Castro has lost some authority,
His detractors are more vocal and more free.
  With the freedom to speak
  They point out where he's weak,
And may one day form a majority.

Though this marvel remains to be seen,
It's something we'll eventually glean.
  The cigar, and the beard,
  And the man that we feared
Shall soon disappear with his regime.