President Bush's 2008 State of the Union Address
布什总统2008年国情咨文
Madam Speaker, Vice President Cheney, Members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:
总统：议长女士、切尼副总统、各位国会议员、尊贵的来宾以及各位同胞：
Seven years have passed since I first stood before you at this rostrum. In that time, our country has been tested in ways none of us could have imagined. We have faced hard decisions about peace and war, rising competition in the world economy, and the health and welfare of our citizens. These issues call for vigorous debate, and I think it's fair to say we've answered that call. Yet history will record that amid our differences, we acted with purpose. And together, we showed the world the power and resilience of American self-government.
我第一次站在这个讲坛上向各位发表国情咨文演说是在七年以前。当时，我国经受了我们大家都无法预见的考验。我们必须就和平与战争、世界经济中日益激烈的竞争以及我国公民的健康与福祉作出艰难的抉择。这些问题要求我们展开激烈的辩论，我认为，可以公平地说，我们响应了这一召唤。而且历史将会见证，我们虽有分歧，但采取了果断行动。我们共同向世人展示了美国民治制度的力量和韧性。
All of us were sent to Washington to carry out the people's business. That is the purpose of this body. It is the meaning of our oath. And it remains our charge to keep.
我们在座的各位受命来到华盛顿都是要为民服务。这是这个机构的使命。这是我们的誓言的含义。这始终是我们应当履行的职责。
The actions of the 110th Congress will affect the security and prosperity of our Nation long after this session has ended. In this election year, let us show our fellow Americans that we recognize our responsibilities and are determined to meet them. And let us show them that Republicans and Democrats can compete for votes and cooperate for results at the same time.
第110届国会采取的行动在其任期结束后仍将对我国的安全与繁荣产生深远影响。在这个大选年，让我们向美国同胞们表明我们深知自己的责任，并决心履行职责。让我们向他们表明共和党人和民主党人能在为赢得选票而竞争的同时为争取实效而合作。
From expanding opportunity to protecting our country, we have made good progress. Yet we have unfinished business before us, and the American people expect us to get it done.
从扩大机遇到保护国土，我们已取得长足进展。但我们还有很多工作要做，而美国人民要求我们完成这些工作。
In the work ahead, we must be guided by the philosophy that made our Nation great. As Americans, we believe in the power of individuals to determine their destiny and shape the course of history. We believe that the most reliable guide for our country is the collective wisdom of ordinary citizens. So in all we do, we must trust in the ability of free people to make wise decisions, and empower them to improve their lives and their futures.
在今后的工作中，我们必须奉行那些把我国造就成一个伟大国家的原则。作为美国人，我们相信个人能够掌握自己的命运并影响历史的进程。我们相信普通公民的集体智慧是我国最可靠的指南。因此，我们不论做什么，都必须相信自由的人民有能力作出明智的决定，并让他们有力量改善自己的生活和前途。
To build a prosperous future, we must trust people with their own money and empower them to grow our economy. As we meet tonight, our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty. America has added jobs for a record 52 straight months, but jobs are now growing at a slower pace. Wages are up, but so are prices for food and gas. Exports are rising, but the housing market has declined. And at kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our economic future.
为建设一个繁荣的未来，我们必须让人民支配自己的钱财，并让他们有能力推动我国经济增长。今晚我们在这里集会之时，我国经济正处于一个充满变数的时期。美国的就业机会连续52个月持续增加，打破了历史纪录，但目前的增速有所减缓。工资水平得到提高，但食品和汽油价格也不断上涨。出口正在增加，但房产市场却出现下滑。美国各地的家庭都在饭桌上谈论著对我国经济前景的担忧。
In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth. But in the short run, we can all see that growth is slowing. So last week, my administration reached agreement with Speaker Pelosi and Republican Leader Boehner on a robust growth package that includes tax relief for individuals and families and incentives for business investment. The temptation will be to load up the bill. That would delay it or derail it, and neither option is acceptable. This is a good agreement that will keep our economy growing and our people working. And this Congress must pass it as soon as possible.
从长远来看，美国人应当对我国的经济增长抱有信心。但在短期内，我们都看出增长速度正在减缓。因此，本届政府于上周同佩洛西(Pelosi)议长和共和党领袖博纳(Boehner)就一套强有力的增长计划达成了协议，其中包括针对个人和家庭的退税计划以及鼓励企业投资的计划。人们难免希望增加议案的内容，但这样做会使议案拖延或脱轨，而这两种结果都是不可接受的。(掌声) 这是一项很好的协议，能保持我国经济增长，并保障人民就业。本届国会必须尽快通过这项议案。
We have other work to do on taxes. Unless the Congress acts, most of the tax relief we have delivered over the past 7 years will be taken away. Some in Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax increase. Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers who would see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800. Others have said they would personally be happy to pay higher taxes. I welcome their enthusiasm, and I am pleased to report that the IRS accepts both checks and money orders.
我们在税收方面还有其他工作有待完成。除非本届国会采取行动，否则我们七年来实施的大多数减税计划将由于到期而被废弃。华盛顿的某些人士声称让减税计划到期作废并不是提高税率。请这些人向1.16亿美国纳税人作出解释，他们要缴纳的税款为什么将平均增加1,800美元。还有一些人声称他们乐意付更高的税。我赞赏他们的热情，并乐意告诉他们国税局(IRS)既收支票也收汇票。
Most Americans think their taxes are high enough. With all the other pressures on their finances, American families should not have to worry about the Federal government taking a bigger bite out of their paychecks. There is only one way to eliminate this uncertainty: make the tax relief permanent. And members of Congress should know: If any bill raising taxes reaches my desk, I will veto it.
大多数美国人都认为他们要付的税够高的了。美国家庭承受著种种经济压力，不应当再让他们担心联邦政府要从他们的收入中扣除更大的一部分。消除这种顾虑的惟一办法是将减税政策永久化。各位国会议员都应当知道：任何一项增税议案如果送到我这里，都会被我否决。
Just as we trust Americans with their own money, we need to earn their trust by spending their tax dollars wisely. Next week, I will send you a budget that terminates or substantially reduces 151 wasteful or bloated programs totaling more than $18 billion. And this budget will keep America on track for a surplus in 2012. American families have to balance their budgets, and so should their government.
就像我们相信美国人民会合理理财，我们也需要理智地使用他们缴纳的税金，以赢得他们的信任。下一周，我将向各位提交一份预算，终止和大幅削减151项浪费性或过分膨胀的项目，其总额超过180亿美元。按照我将提交的预算，美国可于2012年实现财政盈余。美国家庭必须平衡预算，他们的政府也应当这样做。
The people's trust in their government is undermined by congressional earmarks -- special interest projects that are often snuck in at the last minute, without discussion or debate. Last year, I asked you to voluntarily cut the number and cost of earmarks in half. I also asked you to stop slipping earmarks into committee reports that never even come to a vote. Unfortunately, neither goal was met. So this time, if you send me an appropriations bill that does not cut the number and cost of earmarks in half, I will send it back to you with my veto. And tomorrow, I will issue an Executive Order that directs Federal agencies to ignore any future earmark that is not voted on by the Congress. If these items are truly worth funding, the Congress should debate them in the open and hold a public vote.
人民对自己政府的信任受到了国会专项拨款（earmarks）的损害，一些特殊利益项目常常在最后一刻被偷偷塞了进来，既不讨论，也不辩论。去年，我请你们自动将专项拨款的数目和金额减少一半。我还请你们停止把从未经过表决的专项拨款偷偷塞进委员会的报告中。令人遗憾的是，两个目标都没有达到。因此，这一次，如果你们送给我一份未能将专项拨款的数目和金额减少一半的拨款法案，我就会否决它，把它退还给你们。明天，我将发布一个行政令，指示联邦机构将来不要理睬任何未经国会表决的专项拨款。如果这些项目确实值得花费资金，国会应该就其进行公开辩论，公开投票表决。
Our shared responsibilities extend beyond matters of taxes and spending.
我们的共同责任不限于征税和开支。
On housing, we must trust Americans with the responsibility of homeownership and empower them to weather turbulent times in the housing market. My administration brought together the HOPE NOW alliance, which is helping many struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure. The Congress can help even more. Tonight I ask you to pass legislation to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, modernize the Federal Housing Administration, and allow state housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to help homeowners refinance their mortgages. These are difficult times for many American families, and by taking these steps, we can help more of them keep their homes.
在住房领域，我们必须让美国人能够担起房屋所有人的责任，让他们有能力渡过房产市场的动荡期。本届政府组成了"希望在眼前 "联盟(HOPE NOW)，帮助许多处境艰难的房主避免丧失房屋赎回权。国会可以提供