Well, it was time again for the annual canoe race between the America car
company and the Japanese car company. For years, the Japanese team had been
winning the race hands down, but the Americans closed the gap every year.
“This year…” the Americans thought, “…this is our year.”

People who knew a thing or two about canoes all agreed that the Americans
had finally brought a canoe to the race that was of comparable quality to
the Japanese craft. Now if they could just get it in the water and off to a
good start faster than the competition. They each grabbed a side of the
canoe and a paddle and marched towards the river.

Arriving at the river’s edge, they noticed something unusual about their
rival’s team. The Japanese had new uniforms, new paddles, and even a huge
canoe trailer. They didn’t even have to carry their canoe to the river!
Worse yet, all their fancy gear was boldly emblazoned with the words
“Courtesy of the Government of Japan.” This is an unfair advantage thought
the Americans. No government agency is helping us – in fact, for some
reason, our government seems to be trying to hurt our chances of winning
this thing.

The Americans decided not to complain about the obvious cheating, and put
their canoe in the water anyway.

A shot rang out and the race began with both teams paddling furiously. It
was neck and neck through the first half of the race. The Americans were
sweating and straining, mustering all their strength and experience to keep
up with the fit, efficient, and harmonious rowing of the Japanese team. And
indeed they were keeping up! Against all the odds, they could compete in
this race after all!

Over the years, they had gotten complacent. The team had definitely enjoyed
a few too many cheeseburgers and not enough exercise. They were working on
it though - and they held fast to the hope that this would be the year they
could at least tie the Japanese. “Keep paddling,” they thought, “just keep
paddling.”

But little did the Americans know they had one more obstacle to overcome.
One very imposing obstacle.

This race was in America, on an American river, and the shores were lined on
both sides with American canoeing fans. Yet, much to the chagrin of the
American team, it soon became obvious that the crowd was cheering louder for
the Japanese team. What heartbreak! Why?? We’re your neighbors and your
countrymen. Our kids go to the same schools as yours, our paychecks support
the same police and fire department as yours. We cheer for the same sports
teams and eat at the same restaurants. When one of you is in peril, it’s us
who rush to your aid! Why have you forsaken us? If you don’t help us win
this race, we will eventually all lose.

Their spirit broken, the American team barely lost to the Japanese, but
vowed to come back even stronger next year.

The American car companies employ 395,000 Americans, or 87% of the domestic
automotive workforce. True, the American car companies take too much of their profits and give it to overpaid executives, but they also plow a
lot of it back into our art museums, symphonies, community groups, civic and charitable organizations, and yep, taxes. Toyota’s corporate profits go straight back to Japan, where the Japanese people have a better understanding of what’s truly at stake in this canoe race. Still think your Toyota is an American car?

Root for the home team.