[英语学习]奥巴马2010年国情咨文.doc

Madam Speaker, Vice President Biden, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:众议院议长女士、副总统拜登、诸位国会议员、贵宾们、同胞们： Our Constitution declares that from time to time, the President shall give to Congress information about the state of our union.For 220 years, our leaders have fulfilled this duty. Theyve done so during periods of prosperity and tranquility.And theyve done so in the midst of war and depression; at moments of great strife and great struggle.我们的宪法规定，美国总统必须定期向国会报告国家情况。在过去220年的时间里，无论是繁荣和平，还是战争危机，即使存在激烈的冲突和战斗，历届美国总统也都能完成这一使命。Its tempting to look back on these moments and assume that our progress was inevitable - that America was always destined to succeed.But when the Union was turned back at Bull Run, and the Allies first landed at Omaha Beach, victory was very much in doubt.When the market crashed on Black Tuesday, and civil rights marchers were beaten on Bloody Sunday, the future was anything but certain.These were the times that tested the courage of our convictions, and the strength of our union.And despite all our divisions and disagreements, our hesitations and our fears, America prevailed because we chose to move forward as one nation, as one people.回顾历史上的这些时刻，并相信我们的进步是不可阻挡的美国永远注定会取得成功，这些固然让人感到自豪。然而，当美国股市持续了10年的牛市崩溃、盟军于奥马哈海滩登陆时，我们长久以来的胜利曾遭受强烈的质疑。当市场在“黑色星期二”崩盘，游行民众在那个流血星期日被镇压的时候，美国的未来曾充满了不确定性。这些时刻都曾考验我们的信念和我们国家的力量。纵使我们拥有种种分歧，犹豫和恐惧也时刻伴随，美国最终取得了胜利，因为我们选择团结在一起，作为一个国家、一个民族向前进。Again, we are tested.And again, we must answer historys call.今天，我们再一次面临着考验，也再一次必须回应历史的召唤。One year ago, I took office amid two wars, an economy rocked by a severe recession, a financial system on the verge of collapse, and a government deeply in debt.Experts from across the political spectrum warned that if we did not act, we might face a second depression.So we acted - immediately and aggressively.And one year later, the worst of the storm has passed一年前，美国正处于两场战争之中，经济遭遇大萧条，金融体系处在崩溃的边缘，政府深陷债务之中，在这样的一个时刻，我当选了美国总统。不同政治派别的专家对我们提出警告，如果我们不采取行动，我们可能会面临第二次经济大萧条。所以我们果断而迅速地采取了行动，一年后的今天，最糟糕的暴风雨时期已经过去了。But the devastation remains.One in 10 Americans still cannot find work.Many businesses have shuttered.Home values have declined.Small towns and rural communities have been hit especially hard.And for those whod already known poverty, life has become that much harder.然而，灾难性的效应依旧存在。现在仍然有十分之一的美国人找不到工作。许多企业歇业，房屋价格下跌，小城镇和乡村受到的冲击尤其严重。对那些本已很贫穷的人来说，生活变得更加艰难。This recession has also compounded the burdens that Americas families have been dealing with for decades - the burden of working harder and longer for less; of being unable to save enough to retire or help kids with college.这次经济大萧条使美国家庭几十年来承载的重压进一步加剧。这种压力就是：即使他们工作更努力、时间更长，也得不到更多的收入，无法存够钱退休或者帮孩子读完大学。So I know the anxieties that are out there right now.Theyre not new.These struggles are the reason I ran for President.These struggles are what Ive witnessed for years in places like Elkhart, Indiana; Galesburg, Illinois.I hear about them in the letters that I read each night.The toughest to read are those written by children - asking why they have to move from their home, asking when their mom or dad will be able to go back to work.我能够理解人们现在的焦虑，这些问题并不是新的，而我就是为了解决这些问题才竞选美国总统。这几年，我在印第安纳州的埃尔克哈特和伊利诺伊州的盖尔斯堡亲眼目睹了人们的困境，也从每晚阅读他们的信件中了解情况。最让人难过的是阅读那些孩子的来信，他们在信中问，为什么他们不得不从家里搬出来，或者他们的爸爸妈妈什么时候才能重新找到工作。For these Americans and so many others, change has not come fast enough.Some are frustrated; some are angry.They dont understand why it seems like bad behavior on Wall Street is rewarded, but hard work on Main Street isnt; or why Washington has been unable or unwilling to solve any of our problems.Theyre tired of the partisanship and the shouting and the pettiness.They know we cant afford it. Not now.对这些美国公民以及其它像他们一样的人来说，变革的速度似乎还不够快。对此，有些人感到灰心，还有人感到愤怒。他们不能理解，为什么华尔街那些不好的行为好像能受到嘉奖，而普通民众的努力工作却得不到回报；为什么政府似乎不能够或不愿意解决人们的问题；他们已经厌烦了党派分歧、叫喊和卑劣的争斗。他们认为我们解决不了这些问题，至少现在还不能。So we face big and difficult challenges.And what the American people hope - what they deserve - is for all of us, Democrats and Republicans, to work through our differences; to overcome the numbing weight of our politics.For while the people who sent us here have different backgrounds, different stories, different beliefs, the anxieties they face are the same. The aspirations they hold are shared:a job that pays the bills; a chance to get ahead; most of all, the ability to give their children a better life.因为这样，我们面前的挑战巨大而又艰难。美国人希望看到的、也是他们应该看到的，是我们所有人，无论民主党还是共和党，能够解决我们之间的分歧，克服我们两党之间已近乎麻木的偏袒，那些为我们投票人拥有不同的背景和信仰，但他们所担忧的和我们一样。他们都拥有共同的愿望，就是获得一份工作，能够来付账；一个能够在生活中不断进步的机会，最重要的是，能够有能力为他们的孩子提供更好的生活。You know what else they share?They share a stubborn resilience in the face of adversity.After one of the most difficult years in our history, they remain busy building cars and teaching kids, starting businesses and going back to school. Theyre coaching Little League and helping their neighbors.One woman wrote to me and said, We are strained but hopeful, struggling but encouraged.知道他们还共同拥有什么吗？那就是面对逆境的顽强韧性。在经历了美国历史上最困难的时期后，他们仍然忙于建造汽车、教育孩子、经营生意以及回到学校读书，他们为小社团提供辅导并帮助邻居，正如一位女士给我的信中写道：“我们感觉担忧但同时也充满希望，我们正在努力奋斗但充满干劲。”Its because of this spirit - this great decency and great strength - that I have never been more hopeful about Americas future than I am tonight.Despite our hardships, our union is strong.We do not give up.We do not quit.We do not allow fear or division to break our spirit.In this new decade, its time the American people get a government that matches their decency; that embodies their strength.正是由于这种精神，这种伟大的尊严和力量，使我从来没有像今晚这样对美国的未来充满希望。尽管我们目前处境艰难，但我们的国家十分强大。我们永远不会放弃，不会停止努力，不会允许恐惧或者分歧破坏我们这种宝贵的精神。在这个全新的10年里，美国人将拥有与他们的尊严相称、能够代表他们力量的政府。And tonight, tonight Id like to talk about how together we can deliver on that promise.今晚，我们将讨论如何共同履行这一承诺。It begins with our economy.首先，从我们的经济开始。Our most urgent task upon taking office was to shore up the same banks that helped cause this crisis.It was not easy to do. And if theres one thing that has unified Democrats and Republicans, and everybody in between, its that we all hated the bank bailout.I hated it -I hated it.You hated it.It was about as popular as a root canal.我上任的当务之急就是援助那些引起危机的银行。这并不是一项容易的任务。如果说民主党和共和党曾就某件事达成共识的话，那就是我们都不愿对银行实施救助。But when I ran for President, I promised I wouldnt just do what was popular - I would do what was necessary.And if we had allowed the meltdown of the financial system, unemployment might be double what it is today.More businesses would certainly have closed.More homes would have surely been lost.但是，当我竞选总统时，我承诺不会按照惯常的做法，而是需要什么做什么。如果我们任由金融体系坍塌，失业率将可能达到今天的一倍。更多的企业会停业，更多的人会流离失所。So I supported the last administrations efforts to create the financial rescue program.And when we took that program over, we made it more transparent and more accountable.And as a result, the markets are now stabilized, and weve recovered most of the money we spent on the banks.Most but not all.因此，我支持上届政府在金融救助项目上的努力。在我们实施这一项目时，会保证其透明度和可操作性。现在，市场已经稳定，向银行业发放的大部分救助资金也已经收回To recover the rest, Ive proposed a fee on the biggest banks.Now, I know Wall Street isnt keen on this idea.But if these firms can afford to hand out big bonuses again, they can afford a modest fee to pay back the taxpayers who rescued them in their time of need.为了实现其它领域的复苏，我已经提议向大型银行征税。我知道这一想法一定不会受到华尔街的欢迎，但是如果这些企业能够重新发放高额，他们也一定能够承担相应的费用，回报在其需要救助时向他们伸出援手的纳税人。Now, as we stabilized the financial system, we also took steps to get our economy growing again, save as many jobs as possible, and help Americans who had become unemployed.随着金融体系的稳定，我们也逐渐重新恢复了经济增长，同时尽可能地保留住了更多的工作岗位，并帮助了那些失去工作的美国民众。Thats why we extended or increased unemployment benefits for more than 18 million Americans; made health insurance 65 percent cheaper for families who get their coverage through COBRA; and passed 25 different tax cuts.这也是为什么我们能够为1800多万美国失业人员延长或增加了失业津贴，使得统一综合预算汇编法案(COBRA)覆盖的美国家庭医疗保险费用下降65%，并通过了25项不同的税收减免政策。Now, let me repeat:We cut taxes.We cut taxes for 95 percent of working families.We cut taxes for small businesses.We cut taxes for first-time homebuyers.We cut taxes for parents trying to care for their children.We cut taxes for 8 million Americans paying for college.让我重申，我们在减税，我们为工薪阶层家庭削减了95%的税，我们为小企业减税，为首套房购房者减税，为抚养孩子的父母减税，为800万付费上大学的美国人减税。I thought Id get some applause on that one.我觉得我应该为此获得掌声。As a result, millions of Americans had more to spend on gas and food and other necessities, all of which helped businesses keep more workers.And we havent raised income taxes by a single dime on a single person.Not a single dime.这样做的结果，就是数百万美国人在汽油、食品等生活必需品多支出，这样才能让企业留住更多的工人。对于每一个个人，我们没有提高一分一厘的税收。一分一厘也没有。Because of the steps we took, there are about two million Americans working right now who would otherwise be unemployed. Two hundred thousand work in construction and clean energy; 300,000 are teachers and other education workers.Tens of thousands are cops, firefighters, correctional officers, first responders.And were on track to add another one and a half million jobs to this total by the end of the year.正是由于我们采取的一系列举措，使得约200万本可能失业的企业员工现在仍能继续工作。其中包括20万建筑业和清洁能源领域从业2人员，30万教师及其它教育行业工作人员，数万名的警察、消防队员和惩教人员等。并且现在，我们正在逐步努力在今年年底前继续增加150万个工作岗位。The plan that has made all of this possible, from the tax cuts to the jobs, is the Recovery Act. Thats right - the Recovery Act, also known as the stimulus bill.Economists on the left and the right say this bill has helped save jobs and avert disaster.But you dont have to take their word for it.Talk to the small business in Phoenix that will triple its workforce because of the Recovery Act.Talk to the window manufacturer in Philadelphia who said he used to be skeptical about the Recovery Act, until he had to add two more work shifts just because of the business it created.Talk to the single teacher raising two kids who was told by her principal in the last week of school that because of the Recovery Act, she wouldnt be laid off after all.是复兴法案(Recovery Act)使得所有这一切，从消减税收到创造就业的实现成为可能，没错，正是复兴法案，也就是人们通常所称的刺激法案帮助避免了更大灾难的到来。凤凰城的那些小型企业，因为复兴法案而增加了两倍的劳动力；费城的橱窗制造商表示他曾对这一法案持怀疑态度，但当他由于业务的增加不得不增加两组工人倒班工作时，他改变了最初的看法；还有那些需要抚养孩子的教师，当他们被校长告知由于复兴法案而无需被解雇时，他们是多么地高兴。There are stories like this all across America.And after two years of recession, the economy is growing again.Retirement funds have started to gain back some of their value.Businesses are beginning to invest again, and slowly some are starting to hire again.美国各地充满了诸如此类的事例。危机爆发两年后，美国经济重新恢复了增长，投资活动也再次开始活跃起来，尽管步伐缓慢，但一些劳动力也开始恢复工作。But I realize that for every success story, there are other stories, of men and women who wake up with the anguish of not knowing where their next paycheck will come from; who send out resumes week after week and hear nothing in response.That is why jobs must be our number-one focus in 2010, and thats why Im calling for a new jobs bill tonight.当然，我已意识到伴随成功故事总会出现其它一些事例。一些承担了深度痛苦的人、那些不断投递出简历却日复一日始终没有回应的人们不知道他们的未来在哪里。这就是为什么创造就业将是我们2010年的首要任务，也是我今晚为什么要提议一份新的就业议案的原因所在。Now, the true engine of job creation in this country will always be Americas businesses. But government can create the conditions necessary for businesses to expand and hire more workers.美国创造就业的实际动力始终源于企业，但是政府可以为企业扩大雇员规模创造必要的条件。We should start where most new jobs do - in small businesses, companies that begin when - companies that begin when an entrepreneur - when an entrepreneur takes a chance on a dream, or a worker decides its time she became her own boss.Through sheer grit and determination, these companies have weathered the recession and theyre ready to grow.But when you talk to small business owners in places like Allentown, Pennsylvania, or Elyria, Ohio, you find out that even though banks on Wall Street are lending again, theyre mostly lending to bigger companies.Financing remains difficult for small business owners across the country, even those that are making a profit.首先，我们应该开始于主要创建新就业岗位的小型企业领域。因为小公司是企业家追逐梦想时的起点，也为一个工人决定自己做老板提供佳机。小型企业依靠其毅力和决心，度过了经济危机的难关，正准备进入成长阶段。然而，当你与宾夕法尼亚州、伊利里亚州或者俄亥俄州的小型企业主交谈时，你会发现即使华尔街的各家银行已经恢复信贷，但大部分资金都流向了大型企业，资金筹集仍然是全国小型企业（包括那些正赢取利润的小企业）共同面临的困难。So tonight, Im proposing that we take $30 billion of the money Wall Street banks have repaid and use it to help community banks give small businesses the credit they need to stay afloat.Im also proposing a new small business tax credit - one that will go to over one million small businesses who hire new workers or raise wages.While were at it, lets also eliminate all capital gains taxes on small business investment, and provide a tax incentive for all large businesses and all small businesses to invest in new plants and equipment.所以今晚，我提议将华尔街银行归还的300亿美元救助资金用来帮助社区银行为小型企业提供发展所需的信贷。此外，我还将提议一项面向增加新雇员或上调职员工资的小型企业的税收抵免政策。当政策得以实施时，让我们也一并取消向小型企业进行投资所需缴纳的资本利得税，并面向所有投资建立新工厂和设备的企业、不论大小均实施税收激励政策。Next, we can put Americans to work today building the infrastructure of tomorrow.From the first railroads to the Interstate Highway System, our nation has always been built to compete.Theres no reason Europe or China should have the fastest trains, or the new factories that manufacture clean energy products.另外，我们将要通过为当前美国人创造就业机会，同时为美国未来的基础设施建设贡献力量。从第一条铁路建成到州际公路系统，我们的国家一直在建设之中。没有理由只有欧洲或中国拥有最快的火车以及那些生产洁净能源产品的工厂。Tomorrow, Ill visit Tampa, Florida, where workers will soon break ground on a new high-speed railroad funded by the Recovery Act.There are projects like that all across this country that will create jobs and help move our nations goods, services, and information.明天，我将前往佛罗里达州坦帕市，依靠复兴法案的专项资金，工人们很快将在那里动工修建一条新的高速铁路。接下来美国各地都将有相似的项目陆续展开，这将帮助我们创造更多的就业岗位，并帮助美国朝着更好、更信息化、更具服务性的方向发展。We should put more Americans to work building clean energy facilities - - and give rebates to Americans who make their homes more energy-efficient, which supports clean energy jobs. And to encourage these and other businesses to stay within our borders, it is time to finally slash the tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas, and give those tax breaks to companies that create jobs right here in the United States of America.我们将使更多的美国人参与到建立洁净能源设施的工作中来，并使那些提高能源效率、支持洁净能源建设的家庭享受更优惠的税收政策。此外，现在也是那些为美国而非海外国家劳动力就业贡献力量的企业享受税收优惠的时候了。Now, the House has passed a jobs bill that includes some of these steps.As the first order of business this year, I urge the Senate to do the same, and I know they will. They will.People are out of work.Theyre hurting.They need our help.And I want a jobs bill on my desk without delay.众议院已经通过了一项包含上述部分内容的创造就业提案。作为今年工作的第一项职责，我将敦促参议院同样完成这项任务。人们处在失业之中，他们的生活深受影响，他们需要我们的帮助，我希望能尽快看到一份呈交给我的创造就业提案。But the truth is, these steps wont make up for the seven million jobs that weve lost over the last two years.The only way to move to full employment is to lay a new foundation for long-term economic growth, and finally address the problems that Americas families have confronted for years.然而，我们不得不面对的事实是，即使采取这一系列措施，我们仍然无法完全弥补在过去两年中损失的700万个工作岗位。全面彻底解决就业困境唯一的途径就是为长期经济增长建立基础，并最终解决美国家庭多年来面临的问题。We cant afford another so-called economic expansion like the one from the last decade - what some call the lost decade - where jobs grew more slowly than during any prior expansion; where the income of the average American household declined while the cost of health care and tuition reached record highs; where prosperity was built on a housing bubble and financial speculation.我们已无法再一次担负所谓的经济膨胀。过去的这个10年，就业增长速度比以往任何一次经济膨胀时期都要慢得多，美国年庭的平均收入大幅下降而医疗保健费用和学费却创下了历史新高，所谓的繁荣不过是建立在房地产泡沫和金融领域的投机行为之上。From the day I took office, Ive been told that addressing our larger challenges is too ambitious; such an effort would be too contentious.Ive been told that our political system is too gridlocked, and that we should just put things on hold for a while.从我上任的那天起，就一直被告知，想彻底解决美国社会问题只是一种充满野心的构想，这种努力将会引起巨大争议，我们的政治体系已陷入僵局，所以我们需要做的只是暂缓困境，将一些极具挑战性的工作搁置起来。For those who make these claims, I have one simple question: How long should we wait?How long should America put its future on hold?对于那些持这种想法的人，我只想提出一个简单的问题：我们要等多久呢？美国的未来要被搁置多久呢？You see, Washington has been telling us to wait for decades, even as the problems have grown worse.Meanwhile, China is not waiting to revamp its economy.Germany is not waiting.India is not waiting.These nations - theyre not standing still.These nations arent playing for second place.Theyre putting more emphasis on math and science.Theyre rebuilding their infrastructure.Theyre making serious investments in clean energy because they want those jobs.Well, I do not accept second place for the United States of America.可见，华盛顿要让我们再等几十年，即使情况已经变得越来越糟。中国选择经济改革而没有等待，德国没有等待，印度没有等待，这些国家都没有坐以待毙，他们重视数学和科学发展，重建国家基础设施，大举投资洁净能源建设，因为他们需要这些带来的工作岗位。我不接受美国坐在世界第二的位置上。As hard as it may be, as uncomfortable and contentious as the debates may become, its time to get serious about fixing the problems that are hampering our growth.或许道路会很艰难，或许需要面对各种争议，但美国真的到了认真解决束缚我们发展的那些问题的时候了。Now, one place to start is serious financial reform.Look, I am not interested in punishing banks.Im interested in protecting our economy.A strong, healthy financial market makes it possible for businesses to access credit and create new jobs. It channels the savings of families into investments that raise incomes.But that can only happen if we guard against the same recklessness that nearly brought down our entire economy.最先开始的一步将是金融体系改革。我并非存有私心希望惩罚银行业，我只是希望保护美国的经济。一个强劲的、健康的金融市场才能使企业合理获得信贷并实现就业创造，它将能引导家庭储蓄转变成增加收入的投资，但是，这一切只有在我们成功避免重复几乎致使整个经济体系崩溃的鲁莽行为前提下才会发生。We need to make sure consumers and middle-class families have the information they need to make financial decisions.We cant allow financial institutions, including those that take your deposits, to take risks that threaten the whole economy.我们需要确保消费者和中产阶级家庭能够掌握做出理财决定所需的基本信息，我们不能允许金融机构再次冒险对整个经济体系造成威胁。Now, the House has already passed financial reform with many of these changes.And the lobbyists are trying to kill it.But we cannot let them win this fight.And if the bill that