英文原版对话1000个:983 Minimum Wage

Todd: So Greg, we're talking about controversial issues and one of the issues in your book is income disparity. So, what do you think about minimum wage?

Greg: Minimum wage. Minimum wage I think is very important to have otherwise employers are going to take advantage of people; pay them too little. The society must decide what is the proper minimum wage and that in itself is an issue. What should it be?

Todd: You know, actually I disagree. I am actually against a minimum wage. I think that you know, basically all markets find an equilibrium¹ and that if the wage goes too low people just won't do the job, and so basically, it you don't have a minimum wage eventually the society will come to a wage where people feel comfortable doing that work. That basically things will work out.

Greg: In theory maybe you're right, but in reality you're really wrong. I mean take a look at some of these countries around the world where there are sweat shops, where you have children, 'cause there are no rules regulating labor², and you have children who have never been educated, spend their entire lives working almost like slaves in unhealthy conditions. That's what happens when there are no rules to protect workers.

Todd: But I think that's somewhat true but you said the key word that they're not educated. I think the problem there is that the people aren't educated and that's what leads the abject³ poverty that they might do a job like that. So don't you think that if people were educated more, they would not be willing to work such meaningless jobs, such jobs that pay so little.

Greg: Many of those people, those children, who are working like slaves, don't have a chance for any education and often maybe they're being exploited, not always but sometimes, by people who've had good education.

Todd: Right.

Greg: Take a child in some very poor country has to work just to find food.

Todd: So basically, you're saying they should have a living wage. That they should make enough money that they can have a decent standard of living.

Greg: Everybody should have a decent standard of living I believe.

Todd: I just think that it's really hard to arbitrarily set a price. I mean that number is always going to go up and down. That even a minimum wage somewhat skews the reality that if you just let markets take their natural course eventually people won't be willing to work.

Greg: It doesn't work that way because when you just have what's a complete free market, you have corrupt⁴ people who take advantage of other people.

Todd: Well, you know, that actually I do agree with but I think ... I do believe in a free markets but one thing that is true is that free markets cannot work where's there's corruption⁵. I do agree with that. So we agree about something.

Greg: Yes. Good thing.
 

1 equilibrium   

n.平衡，均衡，相称，均势，平静

参考例句：

• Change in the world around us disturbs our inner equilibrium.我们周围世界的变化扰乱了我们内心的平静。
• This is best expressed in the form of an equilibrium constant.这最好用平衡常数的形式来表示。

2 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

3 abject   

adj.极可怜的，卑屈的

参考例句：

• This policy has turned out to be an abject failure.这一政策最后以惨败而告终。
• He had been obliged to offer an abject apology to Mr.Alleyne for his impertinence.他不得不低声下气，为他的无礼举动向艾莱恩先生请罪。

4 corrupt   

v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的

参考例句：

• The newspaper alleged the mayor's corrupt practices.那家报纸断言市长有舞弊行为。
• This judge is corrupt.这个法官贪污。

5 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。