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 presidency that the rancor 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 chamber 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 Congressman 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 muster 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。