76
subversive activity and Christians view communism as anathema (Black
et al., 1976). Montaner (1981) finds that "any form of religious
militancy is a subtle form of counterrevolution, the Protestant
militancy, or that of Jehovah's Witnesses, are the most dangerous"
(p. 78). While much of the strong Catholicism has faded away through
governmental patience, the evangelical movement has strengthened and
poses a thorny problem for totalitarianism, according to Montaner.
Problems of Rationing
In 1962, rationing of almost all products including food, clothing,
and household items began. Rationing was installed to provide more
equitable distribution of available goods and to allow more products
to be exported, thus improving the economic stability of the country.
One of the advantages of attending school or work is the provision of
meals at little or no cost. Black et al. (1976) find that while
rationing still exists, the availability of food has improved.
Currently, infant mortality rate is 23 per 1,000 persons. Only eight
of the 29 Caribbean countries and territories reported had lower rates.
The U.S. reported 14 per 1,000 (Lowenthal, 1982).
Clark's (1979) findings conflict with Black et al. (1976). He
states that the caloric intake of the Cuban diet today is less than
that of a slave living in Cuba during colonial times. A comparison
of Clark's rationing statistics for the years 1969, 1971, and 1974,
with reports given by 1980 immigrants, indicates that Cubans are
consuming one pound less rice per month and five ounces less coffee
per month in 1980 than in 1971 or 1974. They did have four ounces