奥巴马每周电视讲话：美国总统奥巴马告别演讲(6)

A shrinking world, growing inequality; demographic change and the specter of terrorism,

不断收缩的世界，正在蔓延的不平等、人口的变化和恐怖主义的延伸，

these forces haven't just tested our security and our prosperity, but are testing our democracy, as well.

这些挑战不仅是对我们国家的安全与繁荣的检验，也是对我们的民主体制的检验。

And how we meet these challenges to our democracy will determine our ability to educate our kids,

我们怎样应对这些挑战将决定我们是否有能力教育我们的孩子、

and create good jobs, and protect our homeland.

创造新的就业机会和保卫我们的领土。

In other words, it will determine our future.

换句话说，怎样应对挑战将决定我们的未来。

To begin with, our democracy won't work without a sense that everyone has economic opportunity.

首先，我们的民主政体发挥作用的前提是我们承认每个人都在经济发展中享有机会。

And the good news is that today the economy is growing again.

值得高兴的是今天的美国经济正在增长。

Wages, incomes, home values, and retirement¹ accounts are all rising again.

薪资水平、房产价值和退休金都在增长。

Poverty is falling again.

贫困率正在降低。

The wealthy are paying a fairer share of taxes even as the stock market shatters records.

股价实现历史新高，而富裕阶层的交税比例也日趋合理。

The unemployment rate is near a 10-year low.

失业率实现了十年最低。

The uninsured rate has never, ever been lower.

参保比例达到了从未有过的高水平。

Health care costs are rising at the slowest rate in 50 years.

医疗成本的增长速度实现了半个世纪以来的最低水平。

And I've said and I mean it,

如我之前所说，我是认真的，

if anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements we've made to our health care system

如果有哪个方案可以实现医疗体系的更大提升，

and that covers as many people at less cost, I will publicly support it.

实现以更低成本覆盖更多人群，那么我一定会公开支持这一方案。

Because that, after all, is why we serve.

因为，毕竟，这是我们的工作目标。

Not to score points or take credit, but to make people's lives better.

我们不是为了得到评分或者获取信任，而是要提高人民的生活水平。

1 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。