VOA标准英语2013--Fiscal Cliff Could Have Greatest Impact on Poor, Unemployed

 

Fiscal¹ Cliff Could Have Greatest Impact on Poor, Unemployed²

At a Los Angeles center, Catholic Charities provides food and other assistance to the poor, unemployed, and homeless. A homeless man, John Wood, is sitting with his belongs in a grocery cart outside the center. He says doesn't know the details of the talks in Washington, but that an eventual³ agreement is important.

“It will directly affect the economy if they don't do it. Many people will lose jobs and that will be more of a downturn for the economy," he said.

Inside, volunteer Yolanda Barber is handing out bags of groceries, freshly made salads and pizza. She hopes that President and Congress will put politics aside in the interests of the country. “OK, this is Democratic and this is Republican. It's not about that. It's about doing the right thing for the people, period," he said. "And it's very troubling where the economy is right now. If the issue is not resolved, then what will happen?”

Cuts in federal funding for health and welfare programs would hurt the poor more than others, but Chris Sanchez, who is looking for a job, said he was certain the nation's leaders will avoid the fiscal cliff.

“Of course they’re going to work out a deal, man. It's a cliff. You want to drive off a cliff? Come on, man," he said.

Political analysts⁴ say although Congress did not meet its midnight deadline, lawmakers and the president can soften⁵ the impact of going over the fiscal cliff by taking quick action to limit the damage. These Los Angeles residents say they're waiting for good news from Washington. 

1 fiscal   

adj.财政的，会计的，国库的，国库岁入的

参考例句：

• The increase of taxation is an important fiscal policy.增税是一项重要的财政政策。
• The government has two basic strategies of fiscal policy available.政府有两个可行的财政政策基本战略。

2 unemployed   

adj.失业的，没有工作的；未动用的，闲置的

参考例句：

• There are now over four million unemployed workers in this country.这个国家现有四百万失业人员。
• The unemployed hunger for jobs.失业者渴望得到工作。

3 eventual   

adj.最后的，结局的，最终的

参考例句：

• Several schools face eventual closure.几所学校面临最终关闭。
• Both parties expressed optimism about an eventual solution.双方对问题的最终解决都表示乐观。

4 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

5 soften   

v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和

参考例句：

• Plastics will soften when exposed to heat.塑料适当加热就可以软化。
• This special cream will help to soften up our skin.这种特殊的护肤霜有助于使皮肤变得柔软。