美国总统奥巴马每周电台演讲12.02

译文来自恒星网友: 刘浩男的日志

Hi, everybody. I’m here on the factory floor of a business in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, where folks are working around the clock making toys to keep up with the Christmas rush.

大家好。我现在正在宾夕法尼亚州的哈特菲尔德的一个工厂的车间里，工人们正在这里与时间赛跑，生产玩具来应对圣诞节购物狂潮。

And I came here because, back in Washington, the clock is ticking on some important decisions that will have a real impact on our businesses – and on families like yours.

我之所以来到这里是因为，回望华盛顿，时钟同样滴答作响，敦促我们做出那些将对我们的企业与和你们一样的家庭产生实际影响的重大决定。

The most pressing decision has to do with your taxes. See, at the end of the year, middle-class tax cuts are set to expire.  And there are two things that can happen.

最紧迫的决定关系到你们的税务。就是说，到年底，中产阶级的减税政策就要到期了。我们有两条路可走。

First, if Congress does nothing, every family will see their income taxes automatically go up at the beginning of next year. A typical middle class family of four will see their income taxes rise by $2,200. We can’t let that happen. Our families can’t afford it, and neither can our economy.

第一条，如果国会无所作为，每个家庭在明年伊始就会看到他们的所得税相应增加了。一个典型的中产阶级四口之家的所得税将增加2,200美元。我们不能任其发生。我们的家庭不能承受这个，我们的经济也不能。

The second option is better. Right now, Congress can pass a law that would prevent a tax hike on the first $250,000 of everybody’s income. Everybody. That means that 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small businesses wouldn’t see their income taxes go up at all. And even the wealthiest Americans would get a tax cut on the first $250,000 of their incomes.

第二条就要好得多。国会马上就可以通过一项法案防止税收与每个人收入的头一个250,000美元挂钩。每个人。在意味着98%的美国人和97%的小企业主会发现他们的税务根本不会增加。即使是最富有的美国人的头一个250,000美元收入也会获得减税。

Congress can do that right now. They can give families like yours a sense of security going into the New Year. They can give companies like this one some certainty about what to expect down the road. And with the issue behind us, we’ll have more time to work out a plan to bring down our deficits in a balanced way – including by asking the wealthiest Americans to pay a little more, so we can still invest in the things that make our nation strong, like education and research.

国会马上就可以做这个。他们可以给和你们一样的家庭一颗定心丸来欢度新年。他们可以给和你们一样的企业一颗定心丸来轻装前进。至于我们搁置的问题，我们会有更多时间来筹划一个计划来均衡地减少赤字—包括要求最富有的美国人多交一点税，这样我们仍可以投资于如同教育和研究之类的使我们国家强大的事业。

So let’s begin by doing what we all agree on. Both parties say we should keep middle-class taxes low. The Senate has already passed a bill to keep income taxes from going up on middle-class families.  Democrats in the House are ready to do the same thing. And if we can just get a few House Republicans on board, I’ll sign this bill as soon as Congress sends it my way.

那么就让我们从我们达成共识的事开始吧。两党都认为应该保持中产阶级的税务水平较低。参议院已经通过了一项法案防止中产阶级所得税增加。众议院的民主党议员也准备这么做。如果我们再能得到几个共和党众议院议员的支持，我就可以尽快签署国会提交给我的这个议案。

But it’s unacceptable for some Republicans in Congress to hold middle class tax cuts hostage simply because they refuse to let tax rates go up on the wealthiest Americans. And if you agree with me, then I could use your help.  Let your congressman know what $2,000 means to you. Give them a call. Write them an email. Or tweet them using the hashtag “My2K.”  That’s My2K.

但是有些共和党议员实在令人难以接受，他们把中产阶级的减税作为“人质”，仅仅是因为他们不愿意给最富有的美国人加税。如果你们赞同我，那么，我就可以利用你们的帮助。让你们的国会议员知道2,000美元对你们意味着什么。给他们打个电话。给他们发个e-mail。或给他们发个以“我的2k”为标签的推特。这是我的2k。

You and your family have a lot riding on the outcome of this debate. We all do. And as citizens, we all have a say in the country we want to build – not just on election day, but every day. So make your voice heard. I promise, it makes a difference. Thanks, and have a great weekend.

你们和你们的家庭有很多事都依靠这个辩论的结果。我们都是。作为公民，我们在这个国家都有发言权说我们致力打造美国—不仅仅在选举日，而是每一天。所以让你们的声音传播从来。我保证，它会带来改变。谢谢，周末快乐。