偶像勵志英語演講 第108期:美國總統(tǒng)奧巴馬就職演說(4)

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action,bold and swift, and we will act-not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation forgrowth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed ourcommerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wieldtechnology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sunand the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform ourschools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. Allthis we will do.
無論我們把目光投向何處，都有工作在等著我們。經(jīng)濟形勢要求我們果敢而迅速地行動，我們將不辱使命——不僅要創(chuàng)造新的就業(yè)機會，而且要打下新的增長基礎(chǔ)。我們將建造道路和橋梁，架設電網(wǎng)，鋪設承載我們的商務和把我們緊密相連的電子通訊網(wǎng)絡。我們將恢復科學應有的地位，利用高新技術(shù)的超常潛力提高醫(yī)療保健質(zhì)量并降低成本。我們將利用太陽能、風力和地熱為車輛和工廠提供能源。我們將改造我們的中小學和高等院校，以應對新時代的挑戰(zhàn)。這一切我們都能做到。這一切我們必將做到。
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions-who suggest that our systemcannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten whatthis country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination isjoined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
現(xiàn)在，有人懷疑我們的雄心壯志——他們說我們的體制不能承受太多的宏偉規(guī)劃。他們的記憶是短暫的，因為他們忘記了這個國家已經(jīng)取得的成就，忘記了一旦共同的目標插上理想的翅膀、現(xiàn)實的要求鼓動起勇氣的風帆，自由的人民就會爆發(fā)出無窮的創(chuàng)造力。
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them-that the stalepolitical arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we asktoday is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works-whether ithelps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.When the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. When the answer is no, programs willend. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account-to spend wisely,reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day-because only then can we restorethe vital trust between a people and their government.
那些冷眼旁觀的人沒有認識到他們腳下的大地已經(jīng)移動——那些長期以來空耗我們的精力的陳腐政治觀點已經(jīng)過時。我們今天提出的問題不是我們的政府太大還是太小，而是它是否行之有效——它是否能夠幫助人們找到報酬合理的就業(yè)機會，是否能夠為他們提供費用適度的醫(yī)療保健服務，是否能夠確保他們在退休后不失尊嚴。當回答是肯定的，我們就要向前推進。當回答是否定的，計劃和項目將終止。作為公共資金的管理者，我們必須承擔責任——明智地使用資金，拋棄壞習慣，在陽光下履行職責——因為只有這樣我們才能恢復人民對政府的至關(guān)重要的信任。
重點講解：
1. bind together
使緊密聯(lián)系;使關(guān)系密切;
eg. It is the memory and threat of persecution that binds them together.
遭受迫害的記憶和威脅把他們緊緊聯(lián)系在一起。
eg. The ties that bind them together are loosening.
將他們緊密聯(lián)系在一起的紐帶正在弱化。
2. intend to do sth.
想要;打算;計劃做某事;
eg. I intend to forgive him.
我打算原諒他。
eg. I didn't intend to denigrate her achievements.
我不是想貶低她的成績。
3. be held to account
承擔責任;
eg. But this was not a natural disaster, and local polluters must be held to account.
但這不是自然災害，當?shù)匚廴驹幢仨殦撈鹭熑巍?br /> eg. But those who contributed to such high crimes must also be held to account.
但那些參與了這些重大罪行的人，也必須受到審判。