欧美名人演讲 第38期:奥巴马最后一次国情咨文(19)

 　　Our public life withers¹ when only the most extreme voices get attention.

　　如果只有最极端的声音受到重视，那我们的公共生活就会衰落。

　　Most of all, democracy breaks down when the average person feels their voice doesn't matter; that the system is rigged in favor of the rich or the powerful or some special interest.

　　最重要的是，当人民大众觉得自己的呼声无关紧要，而整个社会体制被有钱、有权或者个别人的利益所操控时，民主就将崩溃。

　　Too many Americans feel that way right now.

　　目前，很多美国人都有这种感受。

　　It's one of the few regrets of my presidency² that the rancor³ and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better.

　　这是我总统任期内的几件憾事之一，各党派之间的积怨和猜疑并未减弱，而是变得更深。

　　I have no doubt a president with the gifts of Lincoln or Roosevelt might have better bridged the divide, and I guarantee I'll keep trying to be better so long as I hold this office.

　　毫无疑问，如果具备林肯或罗斯福那样的才能，可能党派之间的嫌隙会调和得好一些，我保证，在我任职期间，我会不断努力，争取做到更好。

　　But, my fellow Americans, this cannot be my task or any President's alone.

　　但是，美国同胞们，这不仅仅是我的责任，也不仅仅是某位总统的责任。

　　There are a whole lot of folks in this chamber⁴ good people who would like to see more cooperation, would like to see a more elevated debate in Washington, but feel trapped by the demands of getting elected, by the noise coming out of your base.

　　在座的当中，有不少人期盼在更多方面相互合作，期盼在华盛顿有更高层次的辩论，但却因为受到选举利益的羁绊而无法做到。

　　I know; you've told me. For words kept secret in Washington. And a lot of the unenjoying being trapped in that kind of ringer.

　　我知道这种情况，听你们说过。华盛顿的秘密。那样的声音中含着许多的悲哀。

　　But that means if we want a better politics, and I'm addressing the American people now, if we want a better politicsit's not enough to just change a Congressman⁵ or change a Senator or even change a President; we have to change the system to reflect our better selves.

　　如果我们想优化政治形态，仅换掉一个国会议员或参议员，甚至换掉一位总统是不够的，我们必须改变整个体制，来展现更好的自己。

　　I think we've got to end the practice of drawing our congressional districts so that politicians can pick their voters, and not the other way around.

　　我们要取消划分国会选区的做法，因为划分选区后，政客们会自己去选择选民，而不是让选民选择他们。

　　I believe we've got to reduce the influence of money in our politics, so that a handful of families and hidden interests can't bankroll our elections and if our existing approach to campaign finance can't pass muster⁶ in the courts, we need to work together to find a real solution.

　　我们必须降低金钱对政治的影响，这样就可以防止少数家族和幕后利益集团用资金影响选举。如果关于竞选资金的现行办法未能获得法院通过，我们就要共同努力，寻求真正的解决方案。

　　Cause it's a problem. And most of you don't like raising money. I know. I've done it.

　　因为这是个问题。而你们大多数人不喜欢集资。我懂。我集资过。

1 withers   

马肩隆

参考例句：

• The girl's pitiful history would wring one's withers. 这女孩子的经历令人心碎。
• "I will be there to show you," and so Mr. Withers withdrew. “我会等在那里，领你去看房间的，"威瑟斯先生这样说着，退了出去。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

2 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

3 rancor   

n.深仇，积怨

参考例句：

• I have no rancor against him.我对他无怨无仇。
• Their rancor dated from a political dogfight between them.他们的积怨来自于他们之间在政治上的狗咬狗。

4 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

5 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。

6 muster   

v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册

参考例句：

• Go and muster all the men you can find.去集合所有你能找到的人。
• I had to muster my courage up to ask him that question.我必须鼓起勇气向他问那个问题。