Buy American

1. the parent company of Braun household appliances is
(a) american (b) japanese (c) german (d) swiss

2. Godiva chocolate is
(a) American (b) belgian (c) french (d) swiss

3. Wrangler jeans are
(a) american (b) korean (c) french (d) canadian

4. Holiday Inns are owned by a company based in
(a) america (b) britian (c) france (d) saudi Arabia

5. the maker of Haagen-Dazs ice cream is based in
(a) america (b) britian (c) france (d) sweden

6. the parent of Green Giant vegetables is
(a) american (b) british (c) german (d) italian

7. Bic pens are
(a) american (b) japanese (c) french (d) Czech

8. RCA televisions are made by a company based in
(a) america (b) japan (c) france (d) korea

9. Vaseline's owner is
(a) american (b) anglo-dutch (c) french (d) german

10. Tropicana orange juice is owned by a company based in
(a) america (b) brazil (c) canada (d) mexico

1 = (a) gillette; 2 = (a) campbell soup; 3 = (a) VF corp; 4 = (b) bass PLC; 5 = (b) grand metro;
6 = (b) grand metro; 7 = (c) Bic SA; 8 = (c) thomson SA; 9 = (b) unilever; 10 = (c) segram

source: all materials from: st. louis post -- sun feb 2, 1992

variables: a science process in economics

We normally thing of "variables" as something that is controlled in a science lab -- but they exist everywhere. There are so many variable with international economics that it is impossible for the consumer to sort them out. We usually focus on the "japanese name" as one "we should boycott." But I drive a Toyota that was built in California -- sold by an Illinois outlet that employs many Coles County citizens -- whereas my neighbor drives a Ford made in Mexico. Things aren't always what they seem.

These figures are a few years old, but England "owned" about $80 billion worth of "American companies" -- whereas Japan only owned about $50 (?) billion. The latter isn't exact -- but there was a huge difference between the two -- but most americans would swear we are being taken over my Japanese firms. Nope. A classic misconception. Beware of the British -- they are still ticked about losing "the war" and they are coming back 'home.'

motoring home

Where are these "foreign car made?"