奥巴马演讲（共5则）

第一篇：奥巴马演讲

奥巴马演讲 “We're Not Going Back” Remarks by the President on Health Insurance Reform, University of Iowa Field House, Iowa City, Iowa University of Iowa Field House,Iowa City, Iowa 1:08 P.M.CDT THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Iowa!(Applause.)Are you fired up?(Applause.)Oh, it is good to be back in Iowa.(Applause.)I got to take off my jacket when I'm in Iowa.(Applause.)It is good to be back in Iowa.It’s a little colder than it is in D.C., I got to admit.(Laughter.)But I can feel spring coming.I want to make a couple of acknowledgements.First of all, University of Iowa President Dr.Sally Mason and the entire Hawkeye community, thanks for hosting us.(Applause.)The outstanding governor of the great state of Iowa, Chet Culver and First Lady Mari Culver.(Applause.)There he is back there.A couple of great friends, Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge.(Applause.)The cochairs of my campaign here in Iowa, Attorney General Tom Miller and Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald.(Applause.)The former governor of Iowa who is now I think going to end up being one of the greatest Secretaries of Agriculture in history, Tom Vilsack is in the house.(Applause.)I want to acknowledge Iowa City Mayor Matt Hayek.(Applause.)The entire Iowa delegation could not be here because they are still busy finishing business, crossing “T’s” and dotting “I’s” in Washington.But I want every single person to know that this celebration would not be happening if it were not for your members of Congress, Leonard Boswell, Bruce Braley, your own personal congressman, Dave Loebsack--(applause)--and Senator Tom Harkin.(Applause.)Now, thank you Secretary Sebelius for the introduction, but more importantly, for all the amazing and tireless work that you’ve done to make health care reform a reality.I, too, feel your pain because in my bracket（支架，括号）--(laughter)--I had Kansas winning it all.I feel a little bitter.The President of Northern Ireland came here and he was just, big smile, he was gloating（心满意足的，沾沾自喜的）--(laughter and applause)--I now--I’m sold.I want to congratulate all the Northern Iowa fans in this part of the state on their big win.(Applause.)And since you ruined my bracket I'm rooting for you now.I want you to just go ahead and take it.(Laughter.)Go all the way.I also want to start things off--oh, there’s one other thing.Some of you know that I have a military aide that travels with me wherever I go.This is one of the things the President does, is carries a big satchel（小背包，书包）with all kinds of important stuff in there.And the military aide I have with me today is a guy named Lieutenant Colonel Dave Kalinske.And Dave was strong safety for the Hawkeyes.(Applause.)There he is right there--there’s Dave Kalinske.(Applause.)Strong safety.See, that briefcase is big so you got to have a former strong safety carrying it.(Laughter.)I want to start off by telling folks here how inspired that I’ve been by your continued resilience（弹力，恢复力）in the wake of the floods that devastated this region a few years back.And I remember traveling here right after they happened and how tough things were.I know--I know the rebuilding has been difficult, but you should know that you always have a committed partner in this administration to support the road to recovery.(Applause.)And we know that Iowa City is going to be as good as new and better;Cedar Rapids, all across the state we're seeing that rebuilding take place.So it’s just good to be back in Iowa.This is the state that first believed in our campaign.(Applause.)When all the pundits（博学者，权威人士）had written us off, when we were down in the polls, this is the state that inspired us to keep on going, even when the path was uncertain.And because of you, this is the place where change began.(Applause.)Three years ago, I came here to this campus to make a promise.Just a few months into our campaign, I stood at the University of Iowa hospital right around the corner and I promised that by the end of my first term in office, I would sign legislation to reform our health insurance system.(Applause.)On Tuesday, after a year of debate, a century of trying, after so many of you shared your stories and your heartaches and your hopes, that promise was finally fulfilled.(Applause.)And today, health insurance reform is the law of the land all across America.(Applause.)AUDIENCE: Yes we did!Yes we did!Yes we did!Yes we did!Yes we did!Yes we did!Yes we did!THE PRESIDENT: Yes, we did.Yes, we did.Just like the campaign that led us here, this historic change didn’t start in Washington.It began in places like Iowa City, places just like this, with Americans just like you.It began when people had the courage to stand up in town hall meetings and talk about how insurance companies were denying their families coverage because of a preexisting condition.It began when folks wrote letters about how premium hikes（涨价，远足）of 40 and 50 and a hundred percent were forcing them to give up their insurance.It began when countless small business owners and families and doctors shared stories about a health care system that works better for the insurance industry than it does for the American people.So this is your victory, because when the special interests sent an army of lobbyists to Congress, they blanketed the airwaves with millions of dollars of negative ads, you mobilized and you organized and you refused to give up.And when the pundits were obsessing over who was up and who was down and how is this affecting the Obama administration and what’s going on over in the House, you never lost sight of what was right and what was wrong.You knew this was not about the fortunes of one party--this was about the future of our country.(Applause.)And today, because of what you did, that future looks stronger and more hopeful and brighter than it has in some time--because of you.(Applause.)Three years ago, we made a promise.That promise has been kept.Of course--of course, over the last year, there’s been a lot of misinformation（误报，错误消息）spread about health care reform.There’s been plenty of fear-mongering, plenty of overheated rhetoric（修辞，花言巧语）.You turn on the news, you’ll see the same folks are still shouting about there’s going to be an end of the world because this bill passed.(Laughter.)I’m not exaggerating.Leaders of the Republican Party, they called the passage of this bill “Armageddon.”(Laughter.)Armageddon.“End of freedom as we know it.” So after I signed the bill, I looked around to see if there any--(laughter)--asteroids（小行星）falling or--(applause)--some cracks opening up in the Earth.(Laughter.)It turned out it was a nice day.(Laughter.)Birds were chirping.Folks were strolling down the Mall.People still have their doctors.From this day forward, all of the cynics（愤世嫉俗，犬儒主义）, all the naysayers（否定者，拒绝者）--they’re going to have to confront the reality of what this reform is and what it isn’t.They’ll have to finally acknowledge this isn’t a government takeover of our health care system.They’ll see that if Americans like their doctor, they’ll be keeping their doctor.You like your plan? You’ll be keeping your plan.No one is taking that away from you.Three months from now, six months from now you’re going to look around.You’re going to be sitting in a doctor’s office reading through the old People magazines.(Laughter.)And you’ll say, hey, this is the same doctor, same plan.It wasn’t Armageddon.What this reform does is build on the system of private health insurance that we already have.So does that mean that it’s going to solve every health care problem that we have? No.But it finally tells--oops, it looks like somebody may have fainted.That happens sometimes in the crowd.Just give him some space.If the medics can make sure to check on them, in the meantime just make sure that they’ve got some air.And if anybody has some water down there, that’d be great.They’ll be all right.But here’s what the bill does.It finally tells the insurance companies that in exchange for all the new customers they’re about to get, they’ve got to start playing by a new set of rules that treats everybody honestly and treats everybody fairly.(Applause.)The days of the insurance industry running roughshod（防滑钉铁蹄，冷酷无情的）over the American people are over.So if you already--if you already have insurance, this reform will make it more secure and more affordable.If you can’t afford insurance right now or if you’ve been denied coverage--and I'll bet there are some folks here who don't have insurance or can’t afford it or have been denied coverage--you’re going to finally be able to get it.Costs will come down for families, and businesses, and the federal government, reducing our deficit by more than $1 trillion over the next two decades.That’s what reform is going to do.(Applause.)Now, it’s going to take about four years to implement this entire plan--because we’ve got to do it responsibly and we need to do it right.So I just want to be clear: that means that health care costs won’t go down overnight;not all the changes are going to be in place;there are still going to be aspects of the health care system that are very frustrating over the next several years.But we have built into law all sorts of measures that in the years to come, health care inflation, which has been rising about three times as fast as people’s wages, is finally going to start slowing down.We’ll start reducing the waste in the system, from unnecessary tests to unwarranted insurance subsidies.So that over time, Americans are going to save money.And meanwhile, there are a set of reforms that begin to take into effect this year, so I want to talk about this.This year, millions of small business owners will be eligible for tax credits that will help them cover the cost of insurance for their employees.(Applause.)This year, millions of small businesses will benefit.So let me talk to you about what this means for a business like your own Prairie Lights Bookstore downtown.(Applause.)This is a small business that’s been offering coverage to their full-time employees for the last 20 years.Last year their premiums went up 35 percent, which made it a lot harder for them to offer the same coverage.On Tuesday, I was joined at the bill signing by Ryan Smith, who runs a small business with five employees.His premiums are going up too.He’s worried about having to stop offering health insurance to his workers.So starting now, small business owners like Ryan and the folks at Prairie Light, they’re going to have the security of knowing that they’ll qualify for a tax credit that covers up to 35 percent of their employees’ health insurance.(Applause.)Starting today, starting today, small business owners--(applause)--so starting today, small business owners can sit down at the end of the week, look at their expenses, and they can begin calculating how much money they’re going to save.And maybe they can even use those savings to not only provide insurance but also create jobs.This health care tax credit is pro-jobs, it is pro-business, and it starts this year, and it’s starting because of you.(Applause.)Starting this year, tens of thousands of uninsured Americans with a preexisting condition and parents whose children have a preexisting condition will finally be able to purchase the coverage they need.(Applause.)On Tuesday, right after I signed the bill, I met David Gallagher, whose daughter Lauren had written me a letter last year.And when Lauren’s mom lost her job, the entire family lost their health insurance.And when they tried to get new insurance, David was denied coverage because he once had a complication-free hernia surgery.So Lauren’s been worried sick about what would happen if her father became ill or injured.But now, because of this reform, David Gallagher can finally have access to health insurance again.That starts this year--because of you and the work that you did.(Applause.)This year, insurance companies will no longer be able to drop people’s coverage when they get sick, or place lifetime limits or restrictive annual limits on the amount of care they can receive.(Applause.)This year, all new insurance plans will be required to offer free preventive care.And by the way, for all the students who are here today--(applause)--starting this year, if you don’t have insurance or if you’re about to graduate and you’re not sure what your next job is going to be or there’s a little gap between getting that job with insurance, all new plans and some current ones will allow you to stay on your parents’ insurance policy until you’re 26 years old, starting this year.(Applause.)Because as you start your lives and your careers, the last thing you should worry about is whether you go broke just because you get sick.This year, for the seniors who are in the audience, if you fall in the coverage gap known as the doughnut hole, you’re going to receive $250 to help pay for prescriptions, which will be the first step toward closing that doughnut hole, that gap completely.(Applause.)And I want seniors to know that despite what some have said, these reforms will not cut your guaranteed benefits.In fact, under this law, Americans on Medicare will receive free preventive care without co-payments and deductibles.Darlyne Neff is here today.She’s a breast cancer survivor.She has fought her heart out for reform over the last few years.Today, the preventive care she needs will finally be covered without charge.That’s what this reform will do.That’s what’s happening because of you.(Applause.)And once this reform is implemented, then health insurance exchanges are going to be created.This is the core--the core aspect of this bill that is going to be so important to Americans who are looking for coverage.Basically, we set up a competitive marketplace where people without insurance, small businesses, people who were having to pay through the teeth because they’re just buying insurance on their own, maybe you’re self-employed--you’re finally going to be able to purchase quality, affordable, health insurance because you’re going to be part of a big pool--by the way, with members of Congress.So you will be able to get the same good deal that they’re getting, because if you’re paying their salary, you should have health insurance that’s at least as good as theirs.(Applause.)That’s what’s going to happen in the next few years.And when this exchange is up and running, millions of people are going to be getting tax breaks to help them afford coverage.And the credits add up to the largest middle class tax cut for health care in history.This is a--that’s the basic aspects of reform.AUDIENCE MEMBER: What about the public option? THE PRESIDENT: That’s not in it.AUDIENCE MEMBER: Why not? THE PRESIDENT: Because we couldn’t get it through Congress, that’s why.So they--let’s--there’s no need to shout, young man, no need to shout.Thirty-two people--32 million people are going to have health insurance because of this legislation.That’s what this work is about.(Applause.)So that’s what’s going to happen.Now, I want to just make this point.This legislation is not perfect, as you just heard.(Laughter.)This young man is dissatisfied with an aspect of it, which is fine.I mean, that’s part of what democracy is about.But what this is, is a historic step to enshrine the principle that everybody gets health care coverage in this country, every single person.(Applause.)And it’s absolutely true--it’s absolutely true this is a middle-of-the-road bill.This isn’t single-payer, which some people wanted.It’s also not what the Republicans were looking for, which was basically to deregulate the insurance industry, arguing that somehow this would cut down costs--something that defies the experience of everybody who’s dealt with an insurance company out there.(Laughter.)So, yes, this is a common-sense bill.It doesn’t do everything that everybody wants, but it moves us in the direction of universal health care coverage in this country and that's why everybody here fought so hard for it.(Applause.)This is the reform that some folks in Washington are still hollering about, still shouting about.Now that they passed it--now that we passed it, they’re already promising to repeal it.They’re actually going to run on a platform of repeal in November.You’ve been hearing that.And my attitude is: Go for it.(Applause.)If these congressmen in Washington want to come here in Iowa and tell small business owners that they plan to take away their tax credits and essentially raise their taxes, be my guest.If they want to look Lauren Gallagher in the eye and tell her they plan to take away her father’s health insurance, that’s their right.If they want to make Darlyne Neff pay more money for her check-ups, her mammograms, they can run on that platform.If this young man out here thinks this is a bad bill, he can run to repeal it.If they want to have that fight, we can have it.Because I don’t believe that the American people are going to put the insurance industry back in the driver’s seat.We’ve already been there.We're not going back.This country is moving forward.(Applause.)The road to this victory, Iowa, has been long, it has been difficult.It’s a struggle that a lot of brave Americans have waged for years.For others, like our friend Ted Kennedy, it’s a struggle that was waged for nearly a lifetime.(Applause.)But what this struggle has taught us--about ourselves and about this country--is so much bigger than any one issue, because it’s reminded us what so many of us learned all those months ago on a cold January night here in Iowa, and that’s that change is never easy, but it’s always possible.(Applause.)It comes not from the halls of power, but from the hearts of our people.Amid setbacks, it requires perseverance.Amid calls for delay, it requires the fierce urgency of now.In the face of unrelenting cynicism, it requires unyielding hope.And when I came here three years ago, I told the story of when Lyndon Johnson stood with Harry Truman and signed Medicare into law.That wasn’t perfect either.I’m sure there was somebody who was dissatisfied with it at the time.And as he looked out over the crowd in Independence, Missouri, that day, he said, “History shapes men, but it is a necessary faith of leadership that men can shape history.”

What this generation has proven today is that we still have the power to shape history.(Applause.)In the United States of America, it is still a necessary faith that our destiny is written by us, not for us.Our future is what we make it.Our future is what we make it.Look, this is not the end of difficult times for America.From creating jobs to reducing deficits to making sure every child has a decent education, we still face enormous challenges in this country.And as we meet those challenges, we’re going to face more resistance.We’re going to face more doubt, we’re going to face more cynicism.We’re going to hear more voices who will warn us that we’re reaching too far, that we’re going too fast;who are going to tell us that we can’t, who are going to just make wild accusations about what we’re trying to do.And when that happens, we’ve got to remember the promise that we have already fulfilled, and the people who fulfilled it, and the generations before us who made it possible.We’re going to have to respond with the creed that continues to define the character of this country we love, and it’s my favorite memory of Iowa, that creed that says: Yes, we can.(Applause.)Iowa--yes, we did, because of you.(Applause.)And it’s because of you that we are going to keep on going to make sure that we fulfill every promise to every child in this country for a brighter future.Thank you.God bless you.And God bless the United States of America.(Applause.)END 1:37 P.M.CDTa

第二篇：奥巴马演讲

奥巴马演讲

Hello, everybody.In the State of the Union, I laid out three areas we need to focus on if we're going to build an economy that lasts: new American manufacturing, new skills and education for American workers, and new sources of American-made energy.These days, we're getting another painful reminder why developing new energy is so important to our future.Just like they did last year, gas prices are starting to climb.Only this time, it's happening earlier.And that hurts everyone – everyone who owns a car;everyone who owns a business.It means you have to stretch your paycheck even further.Some folks have no choice but to drive a long way to work, and high gas prices are like a tax straight out of their paychecks.Now, some politicians always see this as a political opportunity.And since it's an election year, they're already dusting off their three-point plans for $2 gas.I'll save you the suspense: Step one is drill, step two is drill, and step three is keep drilling.We hear the same thing every year.Well the American people aren't stupid.You know that's not a plan – especially since we're already drilling.It's a bumper sticker.It's not a strategy to solve our energy challenge.It's a strategy to get politicians through an election.You know there are no quick fixes to this problem, and you know we can't just drill our way to lower gas prices.If we're going to take control of our energy future and avoid these gas price spikes down the line, then we need a sustained, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy – oil, gas, wind, solar, nuclear, biofuels, and more.We need to keep developing the technology that allows us to use less oil in our cars and trucks;in our buildings and plants.That's the strategy we're pursuing, and that's the only real solution to this challenge.Now, we absolutely need safe, responsible oil production here in America.That's why under my Administration, America is producing more oil today than at any time in the last eight years.In 2010, our dependence on foreign oil was under 50% for the first time in more than a decade.And while there are no short-term silver bullets when it comes to gas prices, I've directed my administration to look for every single area where we can make an impact and help consumers in the months ahead, from permitting to delivery bottlenecks to what's going on in the oil markets.But over the long term, an all-of-the-above energy strategy means we have to do more.It means we have to make some choices.Here's one example.Right now, four billion of your tax dollars subsidize the oil industry every year.Four billion dollars.Imagine that.Maybe some of you are listening to this in your car right now, pulling into a gas station to fill up.As you watch those numbers rise, know that oil company profits have never been higher.Yet somehow, Congress is still giving those same companies another four billion dollars of your money.That's outrageous.It's inexcusable.And it has to stop.A century of subsidies to the oil companies is long enough.It's time to end taxpayer giveaways to an industry that's never been more profitable, and use that money to reduce our deficit and double-down on a clean energy industry that's never been more promising.Because of the investments we've already made, the use of wind and solar energy in this country has nearly doubled – and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.And because we put in place the toughest fuel economy standards in history, our cars will average nearly 55 miles per gallon by the middle of the next decade – something that, over time, will save the typical family more than $8,000 at the pump.Now Congress needs to keep that momentum going by renewing the clean energy tax credits that will lead to more jobs and less dependence on foreign oil.Look, we know there's no silver bullet that will bring down gas prices or reduce our dependence on foreign oil overnight.But what we can do is get our priorities straight, and make a sustained, serious effort to tackle this problem.That's the commitment we need right now.And with your help, it's a commitment we can make.Thank you.

第三篇：奥巴马演讲

Thank you.(Applause.)Thank you very much.Everybody, please have a seat.Well, Madam President, that was an outstanding introduction.(Laughter.)We are so proud of Donae for representing this school so well.And in addition, I also want to acknowledge your outstanding principal, who has been here for 20 years--first as a teacher, now as an outstanding principal--Anita Berger.Please give her a big round of applause.(Applause.)I want to acknowledge, as well, Mayor Gray is here--the mayor of Washington, D.C.is here.Please give him a big round of applause.(Applause.)And I also want to thank somebody who is going to go down in history as one of the finest Secretaries of Education that we’ve ever had--Arne Duncan is here.(Applause.)

Now, it is great to be here at Benjamin Banneker High School, one of the best high schools not only in Washington, D.C., but one of the best high schools in the country.(Applause.)But we’ve also got students tuning in from all across America.And so I want to welcome you all to the new school year, although I know that many of you already have been in school for a while.I know that here at Banneker, you’ve been back at school for a few weeks now.So everything is starting to settle in, just like for all your peers all across the country.The fall sports season is underway.Musicals and marching band routines are starting to shape up, I believe.And your first big tests and projects are probably just around the corner.I know that you’ve also got a great deal going on outside of school.Your circle of friends might be changing a little bit.Issues that used to stay confined to hallways or locker rooms are now finding their way onto Facebook and Twitter.(Laughter.)Some of your families might also be feeling the strain of the economy.As many of you know, we’re going through one of the toughest economic times that we’ve gone through in our lifetime--in my lifetime.Your lifetime hasn’t been that long.And so, as a consequence, you might have to pick up an after-school job to help out your family, or maybe you’re babysitting for a younger sibling because mom or dad is working an extra shift.So all of you have a lot on your plates.You guys are growing up faster and interacting with a wider world in a way that old folks like me, frankly, just didn’t have to.So today, I don’t want to be just another adult who stands up and lectures you like you’re just kids--because you’re not just kids.You’re this country’s future.You’re young leaders.And whether we fall behind or race ahead as a nation is going to depend in large part on you.So I want to talk to you a little bit about meeting that responsibility.It starts, obviously, with being the best student that you can be.Now, that doesn’t always mean that you have to have a perfect score on every assignment.It doesn’t mean that you’ve got to get straight As all the time--although that’s not a bad goal to have.It means that you have to stay at it.You have to be determined and you have to persevere.It means you’ve got to work as hard as you know how to work.And it means that you’ve got to take some risks once in a while.You can’t avoid the class that you think might be hard because you’re worried about getting the best grade if that’s a subject that you think you need to prepare you for your future.You’ve got to wonder.You’ve got to question.You’ve got to explore.And every once in a while, you need to color outside of the lines.That’s what school is for: discovering new passions, acquiring new skills, making use of this incredible time that you have to prepare yourself and give yourself the skills that you’re going to need to pursue the kind of careers that you want.And that’s why when you’re still a student you can explore a wide range of possibilities.One hour you can be an artist;the next, an author;the next, a scientist, or a historian, or a carpenter.This is the time where you can try out new interests and test new ideas.And the more you do, the sooner you’ll figure out what makes you come alive, what stirs you, what makes you excited--the career that you want to pursue.Now, if you promise not to tell anybody, I will let you in on a little secret: I was not always the very best student that I could be when I was in high school, and certainly not when I was in middle school.I did not love every class I took.I wasn’t always paying attention the way I should have.I remember when I was in 8th grade I had to take a class called ethics.Now, ethics is about right and wrong, but if you’d ask me what my favorite subject was back in 8th grade, it was basketball.I don’t think ethics would have made it on the list.But here’s the interesting thing.I still remember that ethics class, all these years later.I remember the way it made me think.I remember being asked questions like: What matters in life? Or, what does it mean to treat other people with dignity and respect? What does it mean to live in a diverse nation, where not everybody looks like you do, or thinks like you do, or comes from the same neighborhood as you do? How do we figure out how to get along?

Each of these questions led to new questions.And I didn’t always know the right answers, but those discussions and that process of discovery--those things have lasted.Those things are still with me today.Every day, I’m thinking about those same issues as I try to lead this nation.I’m asking the same kinds of questions about, how do we as a diverse nation come together to achieve what we need to achieve? How do we make sure that every single person is treated with dignity and respect? What responsibilities do we have to people who are less fortunate than we are? How do we make sure that everybody is included in this family of Americans?

Those are all questions that date back to this class that I took back in 8th grade.And here’s the thing: I still don’t always know the answers to all these questions.But if I’d have just tuned out because the class sounded boring, I might have missed out on something that not only did I turn out enjoying, but has ended up serving me in good stead for the rest of my life.So that’s a big part of your responsibility, is to test things out.Take risks.Try new things.Work hard.Don’t be embarrassed if you’re not good at something right away.You’re not supposed to be good at everything right away.That’s why you’re in school.The idea, though, is, is that you keep on expanding your horizons and your sense of possibility.Now is the time for you to do that.And those are also, by the way, the things that will make school more fun.Down the road, those will be the traits that will help you succeed, as well--the traits that will lead you to invent a device that makes an iPad look like a stone tablet.Or what will help you figure out a way to use the sun and the wind to power a city and give us new energy sources that are less polluting.Or maybe you’ll write the next great American novel.Now, to do almost any of those things, you have to not only graduate from high school,--and I know I’m just--I’m in the “amen” corner with Principal Berger here--not only do you have to graduate from high school, but you’re going to have to continue education after you leave.You have to not only graduate, but you’ve got to keep going after you graduate.That might mean, for many of you, a four-year university.I was just talking to Donae, and she wants to be an architect, and she’s interning with a architectural firm, and she’s already got her sights set on what school she wants to go to.But it might, for some other folks, be a community college, or professional credentialing or training.But the fact of the matter is, is that more than 60 percent of the jobs in the next decade will require more than a high school diploma--more than 60 percent.That’s the world you’re walking into.So I want all of you to set a goal to continue your education after you graduate.And if that means college for you, just getting into college is not enough.You also have to graduate.One of the biggest challenges we have right now is that too many of our young people enroll in college but don’t actually end up getting their degree, and as a consequence--our country used to have the world’s highest proportion of young people with a college degree;we now rank 16th.I don't like being 16th.I like being number one.That’s not good enough.So we’ve got to use--we’ve got to make sure your generation gets us back to the top of having the most college graduates relative to the population of any country on Earth.If we do that, you guys will have a brighter future.And so will America.We’ll be able to make sure the newest inventions and the latest breakthroughs happen right here in the United States of America.It will mean better jobs, and more fulfilling lives, and greater opportunities not only for you, but also for your kids.So I don’t want anybody who’s listening here today to think that you’re done once you finish high school.You are not done learning.In fact, what’s happening in today’s economy is--it’s all about lifelong learning.You have to constantly upgrade your skills and find new ways of doing things.Even if college isn't for you, even if a four-year college isn't for you, you’re still going to have to get more education after you get out of high school.You’ve got to start expecting big things from yourself right now.I know that may sound a little intimidating.And some of you may be wondering how you can pay for college, or you might not know what you want to do with your life yet.And that’s okay.Nobody expects you to have your entire future mapped out at this point.And we don't expect you to have to make it on your own.First of all, you’ve got wonderful parents who love you to death and want you to have a lot more opportunity than they ever had--which, by the way, means don’t give them a hard time when they ask you to turn off the video games, turn off the TV and do some homework.You need to be listening to them.I speak from experience because that’s what I’ve been telling Malia and Sasha.Don’t be mad about it, because we’re thinking about your future.You’ve also got people all across this country--including myself and Arne and people at every level of government--who are working on your behalf.We’re taking every step we can to ensure that you’re getting an educational system that is worthy of your potential.We’re working to make sure that you have the most up-to-date schools with the latest tools of learning.We’re making sure that this country’s colleges and universities are affordable and accessible to you.We’re working to get the best class--teachers into the classroom as well, so they can help you prepare for college and a future career.Let me say something about teachers, by the way.Teachers are the men and women who might be working harder than just about anybody these days.(Applause.)Whether you go to a big school or a small one, whether you attend a public or a private or charter school –-your teachers are giving up their weekends;they’re waking up at dawn;they’re cramming their days full of classes and extra-curricular activities.And then they’re going home, eating some dinner, and then they’ve got to stay up sometimes past midnight, grading your papers and correcting your grammar, and making sure you got that algebra formula properly.And they don’t do it for a fancy office.They don’t--they sure don’t do it for the big salary.They do it for you.They do it because nothing gives them more satisfaction than seeing you learn.They live for those moments when something clicks;when you amaze them with your intellect or your vocabulary, or they see what kind of person you’re becoming.And they’re proud of you.And they say, I had something to do with that, that wonderful young person who is going to succeed.They have confidence in you that you will be citizens and leaders who take us into tomorrow.They know you’re our future.So your teachers are pouring everything they got into you, and they’re not alone.But I also want to emphasize this: With all the challenges that our country is facing right now, we don’t just need you for the future;we actually need you now.America needs young people’s passion and their ideas.We need your energy right now.I know you’re up to it because I’ve seen it.Nothing inspires me more than knowing that young people all across the country are already making their marks.They’re not waiting.They’re making a difference now.There are students like Will Kim from Fremont, California, who launched a nonprofit that gives loans to students from low-income schools who want to start their own business.Think about that.So he’s giving loans to other students.He set up a non-for-profit.He’s raising the money doing what he loves--through dodgeball tournaments and capture-the-flag games.But he’s creative.He took initiative.And now he’s helping other young people be able to afford the schooling that they need.There is a young man, Jake Bernstein, 17 years old, from a military family in St.Louis, worked with his sister to launch a website devoted to community service for young people.And they’ve held volunteer fairs and put up an online database, and helped thousands of families to find volunteer opportunities ranging from maintaining nature trails to serving at local hospitals.And then last year, I met a young woman named Amy Chyao from Richardson, Texas.She’s 16 years old, so she’s the age of some of you here.During the summer, I think because somebody in her family had an illness, she decided that she was interested in cancer research.She hadn’t taken chemistry yet, so she taught herself chemistry during the summer.And then she applied what she had learned and discovered a breakthrough process that uses light to kill cancer cells.Sixteen years old.It’s incredible.And she's been approached by some doctors and researchers who want to work with her to help her with her discovery.The point is you don’t have to wait to make a difference.You’re first obligation is to do well in school.You’re first obligation is to make sure that you’re preparing yourself for college and career.But you can also start making your mark right now.A lot of times young people may have better ideas than us old people do anyway.We just need those ideas out in the open, in and out of the classroom.When I meet young people like yourselves, when I sat and talk to Donae, I have no doubt that America’s best days are still ahead of us, because I know the potential that lies in each of you.Soon enough, you will be the ones leading our businesses and leading our government.You will be the one who are making sure that the next generation gets what they need to succeed.You will be the ones that are charting the course of our unwritten history.And all that starts right now--starts this year.So I want all of you who are listening, as well as everybody here at Banneker, I want you to make the most of the year that’s ahead of you.I want you to think of this time as one in which you are just loading up with information and skills, and you’re trying new things and you’re practicing, and you’re honing--all those things that you’re going to need to do great things when you get out of school.Your country is depending on you.So set your sights high.Have a great school year.Let’s get to work.Thank you very much, everybody.God bless you.God bless the United States of America.(Applause.)

第四篇：奥巴马演讲

Remarks of President Barack Obama

Weekly Address Saturday, May 14, 2011

Washington D.C.Recently, there have been signs that the economy is picking up steam.Last month, we saw the strongest job growth in five years, and have added more than three-quarters of a million private sector jobs in just three months.But there are still too many Americans who are either looking for work, or struggling to pay the bills and make the mortgage.Paychecks aren’t getting any bigger, but the cost of everything from groceries to college tuition keeps on rising.Without a doubt, one of the biggest burdens over the last few months has been the price of gasoline.In many places, gas is now more than $4 a gallon, meaning that you could be paying more than $60 to fill up your tank.These spikes in gas prices are often temporary, and while there are no quick fixes to the problem, there are a few steps we should take that make good sense.First, we should make sure that no one is taking advantage of consumers at the pump.That’s why we’ve launched a task force led by the Attorney General that has one job: rooting out cases of fraud or manipulation in the markets that might affect gas prices, including any illegal activity by traders and speculators.Second, we should increase safe and responsible oil production here at home.Last year, America’s oil production reached its highest level since 2003.But I believe that we should expand oil production in America – even as we increase safety and environmental standards.To do this, I am directing the Department of Interior to conduct annual lease sales in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, while respecting sensitive areas, and to speed up the evaluation of oil and gas resources in the mid and south Atlantic.We plan to lease new areas in the Gulf of Mexico as well, and work to create new incentives for industry to develop their unused leases both on and offshore.We’re also taking steps to give companies time to meet higher safety standards when it comes to exploration and drilling.That’s why my Administration is extending drilling leases in areas of the Gulf that were impacted by the temporary moratorium, as well as certain areas off the coast of Alaska.And to streamline that permitting process, I am establishing a new team to coordinate work on Alaska drilling permits.Finally, the third step we should take is to eliminate the taxpayer subsidies we give to oil and gas companies.In the last few months, the biggest oil companies made about $4 billion in profits each week.And yet, they get $4 billion in taxpayer subsidies each year.Four billion dollars at a time when Americans can barely fill up their tanks.Four billion dollars at a time when we’re trying to reduce our deficit.This isn’t fair, it makes no sense.Before I was President, the CEOs of these companies even admitted that the tax subsidies made no sense.Well, next week, there is a vote in Congress to end these oil company giveaways once and for all.And I hope Democrats and Republicans come together and get this done.The American people shouldn’t be subsidizing oil companies at a time when they’re making near-record profits.As a nation, we should be investing in the clean, renewable sources of energy that are the ultimate solution to high-gas prices.That’s why we’re investing in clean energy technology, helping businesses that manufacture solar panels and wind turbines, and making sure that our cars and trucks can go further on a tank of gas – a step that could save families as much as $3,000 at the pump.These are investments worth making – investments that will save us money, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and protect the health and safety of our planet.That’s an energy policy for the future, and it’s what I’ll be fighting for in the weeks and months to come.Thanks.

第五篇：奥巴马演讲

奥巴马演讲:为未来清洁能源投资

来源:http:// Hi, everybody.I’m speaking to you this week from a factory in Petersburg, Virginia, where they’re bringing on more than 100 new workers to build parts for the next generation of jet engines.It’s a story that’s happening more frequently across the country.Our businesses just added 233,000 jobs last month – for a total of nearly four million new jobs over the last two years.More companies are choosing to bring jobs back and invest in America.Manufacturing is adding jobs for the first time since the 1990s, and we’re building more things to sell to the rest of the world stamped with three proud words: Made in America.And it’s not just that we’re building stuff.We’re building better stuff.The engine parts manufactured here in Petersburg will go into next-generation planes that are lighter, faster, and more fuel-efficient.That last part is important.Because whether you’re paying for a plane ticket, or filling up your gas tank, technology that helps us get more miles to the gallon is one of the easiest ways to save money and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.The recent spike in gas prices has been another painful reminder of why we have to invest in this technology.As usual, politicians have been rolling out their three-point plans for two-dollar gas: drill, drill, and drill some more.Well, my response is, we have been drilling.Under my Administration, oil production in America is at an eight-year high.We’ve quadrupled the number of operating oil rigs, and opened up millions of acres for drilling.But you and I both know that with only 2% of the world’s oil reserves, we can’t just drill our way to lower gas prices – not when consume 20 percent of the world’s oil.We need an all-of-the-above strategy that relies less on foreign oil and more on American-made energy – solar, wind, natural gas, biofuels, and more.That’s the strategy we’re pursuing.It’s why I went to a plant in North Carolina earlier this week, where they’re making trucks that run on natural gas, and hybrid trucks that go further on a single tank.And it’s why I’ve been focused on fuel efficient cars since the day I took office.Over the last few years, the annual number of miles driven by Americans has stayed roughly the same, but the total amount of gas we use has been going down.In other words, we’re getting more bang for our buck.If we accelerate that trend, we can help drivers save a significant amount of money.That’s why, after 30 years of inaction, we finally put in place new standards that will make sure our cars average nearly 55 miles per gallon by the middle of the next decade – nearly double what they get today.This wasn’t easy: we had to bring together auto companies, and unions, and folks who don’t ordinarily see eye to eye.But it was worth it.Because these cars aren’t some pie in the sky solution that’s years away.They’re being built right now – by American workers, in factories right here in the U.S.A.Every year, our cars and trucks will be able to go further and use less fuel, and pretty soon, you’ll be able to fill up every two weeks instead of every week – something that, over time, will save the typical family more than $8,000 at the pump.We’ll reduce our oil consumption by more than 12 billion barrels.That’s a future worth investing in.So we have a choice.Right now, some folks in Washington would rather spend another $4 billion on subsidies to oil companies each year.Well you know what? We’ve been handing out these kinds of taxpayer giveaways for nearly a century.And outside of Congress, does anyone really think that’s still a good idea? I want this Congress to stop the giveaways to an oil industry that’s never been more profitable, and invest in a clean energy industry that’s never been more promising.We should be investing in the technology that’s building the cars and trucks and jets that will prevent us from dealing with these high gas prices year after year after year.Ending this cycle of rising gas prices won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight.But that’s why you sent us to Washington – to solve tough problems like this one.So I’m going to keep doing everything I can to help you save money on gas, both right now and in the future.I hope politicians from both sides of the aisle join me.Let’s put aside the bumper-sticker slogans, remember why we’re here, and get things done for the American people.Thank you, God bless you, and have a great weekend.大家好。本周我来到了维吉尼亚州匹兹堡市的一家工厂，这家工厂带来了100多个新的工作岗位，他们正在生产下一代喷气发动机的零部件。

这样的景象在全国各地不断涌现。上个月我们的企业又新增23.3万个就业岗位，过去两年总共新增约400万个就业岗位。越来越多的企业选择回国投资并将工作岗位带回来。制造业也从上世纪90年代以来首次增加就业岗位，我们制造的产品被销往世界各地，产品上印着让我们自豪的四个字：美国制造。

我们不仅仅是正在制造一些东西，我们是在制造更棒的东西。在匹兹堡这里生产的引擎零部件将用于下一代的更轻、更快、更节省燃料的飞机上。

最后一个特点很重要。因为无论你是买机票还是给自己的汽车加油，提高单位燃料的行驶里程是帮助我们节约支出和降低对海外石油依赖的最直接的方式。而最近油价的上涨也深深刺痛着我们，我们必须在这一技术上进行投资。一些政客一直在兜售他们实现2美元油价的三项计划：开采、开采以及更多的开采。好吧，我的回应是，我们一直都在开采。在政府领导下，美国国内的石油产量处在8年来的最高点。我们开放了数百万英亩的开采区域，正在运转的石油钻井平台也增加了4倍。但你我都知道我们仅仅拥有2%的世界石油储量，我们不能单独依靠开采来降低油价，何况我们还消费了全球20%的石油。我们需要一个最高的能源战略，减少我们对海外石油的依赖，更多使用国产能源：太阳能、风能、天然气以及生物燃料等等。

这才是我们追求的战略。这也是我本周早些时候到访北卡的一家工厂的原因，那里的工人们正在生产使用天然气的卡车，混合动力卡车用一箱油能行驶的更远。

这也是我自主政以来就一直关注高能效汽车的原因。在过去的几年里，美国人每年的汽车行驶里程基本保持不变，但总的汽油消耗量在不断下降。换句话说，我们花同样的钱，得到的利益增加了。如果我们加速推进这一趋势，我们就可以帮助驾驶员们节约一笔可观的费用。这也是我们实施新的能效标准的原因，老的标准还是30年前制定的，这样我们能在未来15年内实现汽车平均用1加仑汽油行驶55英里的目标，这是现状的两倍。实现这一目标并不容易，我们需要将汽车生产厂家、产业联盟以及意见并不一致的人们团结到一起。但这么做是值得的。

因为这样的汽车并不像前几年那样还是空中楼阁。我们的工人，国内的工厂现在正在生产这样的汽车。每年，我们的汽车、卡车都能用更少的油跑的更远，很快，你们将能每两周加一次油而不用每周都去加油站。这样假以时日，将为一般家庭在油费支出上节省8000多美元。我们将减少超过120亿桶的石油消费量。这是值得我们投资的未来。因此，我们要做出选择。但现在华盛顿的一些人却宁愿每年花40亿美元给石油公司提供补贴。你们可知道。我们已经用纳税人的钱给它们提供了将近一个世纪的补贴了。在国会之外，难道就有人真的认为这是个好主意吗？我希望国会终止对石油产业的补贴，它们的利润已经高的不能再高了，我们应该把这些钱投资到更有希望的清洁能源产业上。我们应该投资于生产高能效汽车、卡车和飞机的技术上，避免我们年复一年的受高油价的麻烦。

走出不断上涨的油价这一恶性循环并不容易，也不能在一夜间完成。但这正是你们选择我们来到华盛顿的原因，我们就是来解决这样的难题的。因此我将继续竭尽所能帮助我们节约油费支出，现在如此将来亦如此。我希望两党的政客们都能与我一道。让我们把空洞的口号放置一边，牢记使命，为美国人民把事情做好。谢谢，上帝保佑大家，祝大家周末愉快。