奥巴马演讲视频：Fighting for the American Jobs Act

Hello, everyone. It's been almost three weeks since I sent the American Jobs Act to Congress – three weeks since I sent them a bill that would put people back to work and put money in people's pockets. This jobs bill is fully 1 paid for. This jobs bill contains the kinds of proposals that Democrats 2 and Republicans have supported in the past. And now I want it back. It is time for Congress to get its act together and pass this jobs bill so I can sign it into law.

Some Republicans in Congress have said that they agree with certain parts of this jobs bill. If so, it's time for them to tell me what those proposals are. And if they're opposed to this jobs bill, I'd like to know what exactly they're against. Are they against putting teachers and police officers and firefighters back on the job? Are they against hiring construction workers to rebuild our roads and bridges and schools? Are they against giving tax cuts to virtually every worker and small business in America?

Economists 3 from across the political spectrum 4 have said that this jobs bill would boost the economy and spur hiring. Why would you be against that? Especially at a time when so many Americans are struggling and out of work.

This isn't just about what I think is right. It's not just about what a group of economists think is right. This is about what the American people want. Everywhere I go, they tell me they want action on jobs. Every day, I get letters from Americans who expect Washington to do something about the problems we face.

Destiny Wheeler is a sixteen year old from Georgia who wants to go to college. She wrote to me saying, "Now-a-days it is hard to see myself pushing forward and putting my family in a better position, especially since the economy is rough and my starting situation is so poor. Yet, the American Jobs act gives me hope that I might start to receive a better education, that one day job opportunities will be open for me to grasp, and that one day my personal American Dream will be reached." Destiny needs us to pass this jobs bill.

Alice Johnson is an Oregon native who, along with her husband, has been looking for a job for about two years. She writes, "I have faithfully applied 5 for work every week…Of the hundreds of applications I have put in, I received interview requests for about 10…I too, am sick of all the fighting in Washington DC. Please tell the Republicans that people are hurting and are hungry and need help, pass the jobs bill." Alice Johnson needs our help.

Cathleen Dixon sent me pictures of the aging bridge she drives under when she takes her kids to school in Chicago every day. She worries about their safety, and writes, "I am angry that in this country of vast resources we claim that we cannot maintain basic infrastructure 6. How can we ever hope to preserve or regain 7 our stature 8 in this world, if we cannot find the will to protect our people and take care of our basic needs?"

I also heard from Kim Faber, who told me about the small carpet business her husband owns in New Jersey 9. "We hang on by a shoe String," she writes, "my husband worries every day about if checks might bounce, he uses our home loan to put money in the business so they will be covered. Please pass this jobs bill! This is the job creating we need right now! It breaks my husband's heart when he has to let people go! Pass the bill!"

Kim said it best: Pass the bill. I know one Republican was quoted as saying that their party shouldn't pass this jobs bill because it would give me a win. Well this isn't about giving me a win, and it's not about them. This is about Destiny Wheeler and Alice Johnson. It's about Cathleen Dixon's children, and the Fabers' family business. These are the people who need a win, and I will be fighting for this jobs bill every day on their behalf. If anyone watching feels the same way, don't be shy about letting your Congressman 10 know. It is time for the politics to end. Let's pass this jobs bill.

点击收听单词发音  






1
fully

  
 


adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地


参考例句：





The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。












2
democrats

  
 


n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )


参考例句：





The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》












3
economists

  
 


n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )


参考例句：





The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》












4
spectrum

  
 


n.谱，光谱，频谱；范围，幅度，系列


参考例句：





This is a kind of atomic spectrum.这是一种原子光谱。
We have known much of the constitution of the solar spectrum.关于太阳光谱的构成，我们已了解不少。












5
applied

  
 


adj.应用的；v.应用，适用


参考例句：





She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。












6
infrastructure

  
 


n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施


参考例句：





We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。












7
regain

  
 


vt.重新获得，收复，恢复


参考例句：





He is making a bid to regain his World No.1 ranking.他正为重登世界排名第一位而努力。
The government is desperate to regain credibility with the public.政府急于重新获取公众的信任。












8
stature

  
 


n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材


参考例句：





He is five feet five inches in stature.他身高5英尺5英寸。
The dress models are tall of stature.时装模特儿的身材都较高。












9
jersey

  
 


n.运动衫


参考例句：





He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。












10
Congressman

  
 


n.（美）国会议员


参考例句：





He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。