布什参观电缆公司谈经济与减税问题讲话(2008-05-27)

THE PRESIDENT: I've come to Silverado for a couple of reasons: One, to remind our fellow citizens how important small businesses are to the backbone¹ of our economy. These two brothers started this company with five employees --
　　MR. BOB SIMPSON: Five employees.
　　THE PRESIDENT: How many you got now?
　　MR. BOB SIMPSON: We have 70.
　　THE PRESIDENT: Seventy. One of the things that's important in law is to encourage certain behavior, and the stimulus² package we passed encouraged investment. And so the -- these guys were showing me a new laser machine they purchased this year, and they purchased it this year because the stimulus package provided a tax incentive³ to do that. And the reason why that's important is when the economy slowed down, we wanted to stimulate⁴ activity.
　　And so the fact that they purchased the machine meant somebody had to make the machine. And when somebody makes a machine, it means there's jobs at the machine-making place -- plus their employees are more productive, they're more competitive. It makes it more likely they're going to keep their business and expand their business.
　　And so the first thing I want to do is, one, thank you for being entrepreneurs, and two, remind our citizens that this stimulus package that we passed in Congress is just beginning to kick in. And it's going to make a positive contribution to economic growth.
　　The other thing it's important to remember is that a company such as these -- as this one -- pays taxes at the individual income tax rate. So when you hear these politicians campaign and say, "We're going to raise taxes, oh, just on the rich people," they're raising taxes on companies like Silverado. (%bk%)
　　What you don't want to do is take money out of the treasuries⁵ of these small businesses across America. If you're interested in economic vitality⁶ and growth, you want these -- owners of these small businesses to have more money to invest. It's good for their employees, it's good for their growth, and it's good for our nation.
　　And so I strongly urge the United States Congress to make the tax relief we passed permanent so that companies such as Silverado don't have to worry about what their tax burden is going to be in two years come. See, we have times of economic uncertainty⁷ right now, and what creates more uncertainty for owners of businesses like these is whether or not their taxes are going to go up.
　　And Congress ought to just declare once and for all we're going to make the tax cuts we passed permanent -- add peace of mind for these businesses leaders; it'll make it easier for their employees to keep a job; it'll make it easier for them to do what they want to do and take care of their -- people that work here.
　　And so I'm thrilled to be with you. Congratulations --
　　MR. BOB SIMPSON: It's our pleasure. Thank you so much.
　　THE PRESIDENT: Congratulations on being dreamers and doers.
　　MR. MITCH SIMPSON: Thank you Mr. President.
　　THE PRESIDENT: Yes, sir. Loved meeting your employees, too.
　　MR. BOB SIMPSON: Well, if you have just a minute I have a few more back there.
　　THE PRESIDENT: All right, good. Thank you

1 backbone   

n.脊骨，脊柱，骨干；刚毅，骨气

参考例句：

• The Chinese people have backbone.中国人民有骨气。
• The backbone is an articulate structure.脊椎骨是一种关节相连的结构。

2 stimulus   

n.刺激，刺激物，促进因素，引起兴奋的事物

参考例句：

• Regard each failure as a stimulus to further efforts.把每次失利看成对进一步努力的激励。
• Light is a stimulus to growth in plants.光是促进植物生长的一个因素。

3 incentive   

n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机

参考例句：

• Money is still a major incentive in most occupations.在许多职业中，钱仍是主要的鼓励因素。
• He hasn't much incentive to work hard.他没有努力工作的动机。

4 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。

5 treasuries   

n.（政府的）财政部( treasury的名词复数 )；国库，金库

参考例句：

• Yields on Treasuries, Bunds and gilts can remain at historically low levels. 美国国债、德国国债和英国国债的收益率仍然可以维持在历史低位。 来自互联网
• Treasuries and gold rose in response but the dollar fell sharply. 接着，国债和黄金的价格上涨，而美元价格则猛跌。 来自互联网

6 vitality   

n.活力，生命力，效力

参考例句：

• He came back from his holiday bursting with vitality and good health.他度假归来之后，身强体壮，充满活力。
• He is an ambitious young man full of enthusiasm and vitality.他是个充满热情与活力的有远大抱负的青年。

7 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。