美国有线新闻 CNN 2013-12-09

 It’s the largest city to file for bankruptcy¹, that’s where a person, company, in this case, a city does not have enough money to pay its debt. The financial crisis hit Detroit and its auto² industry hard.People moved away. Businesses left town. It all added up to less money for the city’s government. By declaring bankruptcy, Detroit can restructure its budget.That could mean cuts for current and retired³ city employees. 

 

I did everything I could. I did my part of bargain.And now this is their part of bargain.” Promises made to city workers, now those promises can’t be kept because Detroit is more than 18 billion dollars in debt.

 

We paid for /, wages every year, answer that. So sad something hasn’t been given to us. It’s our money.

 

Detroit’s emergency manager Kevin filed for bankruptcy and he’s proposed cutting the city’s debt by 83%.That would hit city workers and retirees. 

 

This is likely that there gonna have to see some sort of concessions⁵ made, right?

 

There, there is going have to be some sort of concession⁴.This is reality.

 

Government officials say it’s gotten this bad.78,000 abandoned buildings, 40% of street lights don’t work, and average police response time is 58 minutes. 

 

You called the police now. You wonder if they’re coming. 

 

Michael W J works for the Detroit Public Library for more than 30 years. 

 

What do you think this bankruptcy means for you?

 

Well, I think it’s gonna possibly mean a reduction in my monthly pension check.

 

I believe at this point that would mean I would lose my home.

 

They are willing to take cuts if the city improves.

 

If I’ve given up something, ok,and I now have a police department effective response on a 911 call again; if I have EMS when I am having an emergency; if the lights are turned on in the city.But if it’s simply to pay off the bank holders⁶ and insurance, and all these other issues are still there, then not only has my city not improved but I’m gone down further as well.

 

What will happen if we didn’t declare bankruptcy?The trail will continue to go down hell and down hell to what point? So while people say this will probably be the loss of Detroit in history? Isn’t that a good thing instead to have a lower day tomorrow? 

 

And now, Detroit not only faces the stigma⁷ of bankruptcy but also millions and millions in legal fees in order to exit bankruptcy. There is one thing that everyone hopes and that is there’s a brighter future ahead for the motor city.

1 bankruptcy   

n.破产；无偿付能力

参考例句：

• You will have to pull in if you want to escape bankruptcy.如果你想避免破产，就必须节省开支。
• His firm is just on thin ice of bankruptcy.他的商号正面临破产的危险。

2 auto   

n.(=automobile)(口语)汽车

参考例句：

• Don't park your auto here.别把你的汽车停在这儿。
• The auto industry has brought many people to Detroit.汽车工业把许多人吸引到了底特律。

3 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

4 concession   

n.让步，妥协；特许(权)

参考例句：

• We can not make heavy concession to the matter.我们在这个问题上不能过于让步。
• That is a great concession.这是很大的让步。

5 concessions   

n.（尤指由政府或雇主给予的）特许权( concession的名词复数 )；承认；减价；（在某地的）特许经营权

参考例句：

• The firm will be forced to make concessions if it wants to avoid a strike. 要想避免罢工，公司将不得不作出一些让步。
• The concessions did little to placate the students. 让步根本未能平息学生的愤怒。

6 holders   

支持物( holder的名词复数 )； 持有者； （支票等）持有人； 支托（或握持）…之物

参考例句：

• Slaves were mercilessly ground down by slave holders. 奴隶受奴隶主的残酷压迫。
• It is recognition of compassion's part that leads the up-holders of capital punishment to accuse the abolitionists of sentimentality in being more sorry for the murderer than for his victim. 正是对怜悯的作用有了认识，才使得死刑的提倡者指控主张废除死刑的人感情用事，同情谋杀犯胜过同情受害者。

7 stigma   

n.耻辱，污名；(花的)柱头

参考例句：

• Being an unmarried mother used to carry a social stigma.做未婚母亲在社会上曾是不光彩的事。
• The stigma of losing weighed heavily on the team.失败的耻辱让整个队伍压力沉重。