VOA标准英语2008年-US Chamber of Commerce Says Nation at Crossroad

By Mil Arcega
Washington
09 January 2008
 

The world's largest business federation¹ says the United States faces very real problems from failing schools, rising healthcare costs and higher energy prices.  But the U.S. Chamber² of Commerce says it is not too late for America to reaffirm its leadership role in the global economy.  VOA's Mil Arcega reports.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says America is at a crossroads.  Although business and consumer confidence has suffered as a result of the subprime mortgage crisis and high oil prices, chamber president Tom Donohue says it is not too late to turn the situation around. "Our economy is resilient and the fundamentals of our society are strong.  But our future is clouded by Washington's failure to seriously address the core competitive challenges that will drive growth, opportunity and prosperity in the 21st century," he said.

Donahue on Tuesday discussed the nation's economic challenges in his annual state of business speech in Washington.

He called on U.S. lawmakers to enact³ reforms and improve America's competitiveness. "This year, we'll be working to pass specific measures on education, trade, aviation, health, [Information Technology] -- the protection of intellectual property -- the protection of due process rights and the extension and expansion of visa programs to address serious worker shortages," he said.

Some analysts⁴ expect the U.S. economy to decline this year, but Donohue expressed optimism. He said the economy is still growing and still creating jobs.

"While there is a risk of a recession, our view is that the economy, while growing slowly this year and perhaps picking up a little steam in the second half, will dodge⁵ the bullet and we won't actually have a recession," he added.

The chamber projects unemployment will rise slightly this year, but Donohue said inflation should remain moderate; making future interest rate cuts less likely as the year progresses.

1 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

2 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。

3 enact   

vt.制定(法律)；上演，扮演

参考例句：

• The U.S. Congress has exclusive authority to enact federal legislation.美国国会是唯一有权颁布联邦法律的。
• For example,a country can enact laws and economic policies to attract foreign investment fairly quickly.例如一个国家可以很快颁布吸引外资的法令和经济政策。

4 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

5 dodge   

v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计

参考例句：

• A dodge behind a tree kept her from being run over.她向树后一闪，才没被车从身上辗过。
• The dodge was coopered by the police.诡计被警察粉碎了。