US Treasury Sec, Greenspan Paint Positive Picture of US Econ（在线收听）

US Treasury Sec, Greenspan Paint Positive Picture of US Economy

Barry Wood

Treasury Secretary John Snow says the U.S. economy is on a strong growth path.

Mr. Snow told a Washington gathering that an expanding economy will create a lot of new jobs. But he did not repeat his earlier assertion that more than two million jobs will be created this year. The treasury secretary spoke at a meeting of personal finance counselors.

"We're moving on a good path. We're on a strong path. Growth in the third quarter was an astonishing 8.2 percent. In the fourth quarter it was four percent. And the forecast for the year 2004, this year, the private sector forecasts all call for growth of from four to five percent, really strong, strong growth rates."

At the same meeting, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan said American consumers seem to be in good shape. He said they are able to carry more short-term debt, in large part because they have been cushioned by rising home prices. The lowest interest rates in 40 years have prompted millions of Americans to refinance their 15- or 30-year home loans, something that has typically reduced monthly mortgage payments.

Mr. Greenspan did acknowledge that personal bankruptcies have risen to high levels. But the evidence, he said, suggests that most personal bankruptcies resulted from the economic slowdown that ended over two years ago.

注释：

Treasury Secretary  财政部长

John Snow  约翰•斯诺，美国财政部长。

counselor [5kaunsElE] n. 顾问

forecast [5fC:kB:st] n&vt. 预测，预报

Federal Reserve Board （美国）联邦储备金监察小组

in good shape  处于良好状态

cushion [5kuFEn] v. 缓和，减轻

prompt [prCmpt] v. 鼓动，促使

refinance [5rifi5nAns] vt. 再为……筹钱，再供……资金

mortgage [5mC:^idV] n. 抵押

slowdown [slEudaun] n. 减速