Bernanke Argues for Stronger Economic Stimulus

 Bernanke Argues for Stronger Economic Stimulus The head of the U.S. central bank argued for more efforts to stimulate¹ the economy on Friday, but did not say when or how such action might be taken.

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said unemployment is a "grave concern" and economic growth is too slow.

Recent comments from Federal Reserve officials show that more members are convinced that it may be time for further action.

That might happen at the next scheduled meeting of the Fed in mid-September.

Bernanke told an audience of economic experts at a resort in Wyoming that very low interest rates and a program of buying large quantities of bonds have helped boost economic growth.

The bond-buying effort is called "quantitative² easing," and is intended to cut long-term interest rates and encourage investment.

One Washington economist³, Margo Thorning, said Bernanke and his colleagues may eventually try that tactic⁴ again.

"I think he is waiting to see what happens to the underemployment numbers in the next couple of months," said Thorning. "But another round of quantitative easing is certainly being discussed."

Thorning is the chief economist for the American Council for Capital Formation, which advocates tax, energy, regulatory and environmental policies that facilitate saving and investment.

She said uncertainty⁵ about future tax rates and business regulation are hurting the economy by making businesses less likely to take risks and make the investments in factories and facilities that lead to new jobs.

1 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

2 quantitative   

adj.数量的，定量的

参考例句：

• He said it was only a quantitative difference.他说这仅仅是数量上的差别。
• We need to do some quantitative analysis of the drugs.我们对药物要进行定量分析。

3 economist   

n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人

参考例句：

• He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。
• He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。

4 tactic   

n.战略，策略；adj.战术的，有策略的

参考例句：

• Reducing prices is a common sales tactic.降价是常用的销售策略。
• She had often used the tactic of threatening to resign.她惯用以辞职相威胁的手法。

5 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。