奥巴马电台演讲on BP

第一篇：奥巴马电台演讲on BP

编辑点评：本周电视讲话中，奥巴马总统宣布已签署一项行政命令成立两党联合的关于BP深海地平线石油泄漏和近海钻井的国家调查委员会。并提名前两届佛罗里达州长兼参议员鲍勃•格雷汉姆以及前环保局局长威廉•瑞利共同担任该委员会主席。

One month ago this week, BP's Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded off Louisiana's coast, killing 11 people and rupturing an underwater pipe.The

resulting oil spill has not only dealt an economic blow to Americans across the Gulf Coast, it also represents an environmental disaster.一个月前，BP的深海地平线钻井机在路易斯安那海岸发生爆炸，造成11人死亡和深海管道的炸裂。随之而来的石油泄露沉重打击了墨西哥海湾沿岸的美国居民，也造成了严重的生态灾难。

In response, we are drawing on America's best minds and using the world's best technology to stop the leak.We've deployed over 1,100 vessels, about 24,000 personnel, and more than 2 million total feet of boom to help contain it.And we’re doing all we can to assist struggling fishermen, and the small businesses and communities that depend on them.为了应对，我们召集了美国顶尖的科技人员，采用世界上最先进的技术来封堵泄露。我们部署了1100多艘船，2.4万人员，以及200多万英尺的围栏来围住泄露的原油。同时我们竭尽所能帮助受灾渔民，小公司以及社区度过难关。

Folks on the Gulf Coast – and across America – are rightly demanding swift action to clean up BP's mess and end this ordeal.But they’re also demanding to know how this happened in the first place, and how we can make sure it never happens again.That’s what I’d like to spend a few minutes talking with you about.墨西哥海湾沿岸以及全美国的人民都要求迅速采取措施清理BP的烂摊子，结束这场折磨。他们还要求第一时间知道这事儿是怎么发生的，以及我们如何确保今后不发生类似的情况。这就是我今天要花时间谈的内容。

First and foremost, what led to this disaster was a breakdown of responsibility on the part of BP and perhaps others, including Transocean and Halliburton.And we will continue to hold the relevant companies accountable not only for being forthcoming and transparent about the facts surrounding the leak, but for

shutting it down, repairing the damage it does, and repaying Americans who’ve suffered a financial loss.首要的是，导致这场灾难的是BP以及其他包括Transocean和Halliburton等公司的责任缺失。我们将持续要求相关公司对此负责，不仅仅包括即将公布的关于泄露的真实原因，还有堵住泄露，修复其造成的损伤，并为因此而受灾的美国人民赔偿经济损失。

But even as we continue to hold BP accountable, we also need to hold

Washington accountable.Now, this catastrophe is unprecedented in its nature, and it presents a host of new challenges we are working to address.But the question is what lessons we can learn from this disaster to make sure it never happens again.在我们持续要求BP负责的时候，我们也应该要求华盛顿负责。当下，这场重大灾难本身是空前的，它向我们的工作提出了新的需要应对的挑战。但问题是，我们能从这场灾难中学到些什么东西以确保今后不发生类似的事故。

If the laws on our books are inadequate to prevent such an oil spill, or if we didn't enforce those laws – I want to know it.I want to know what worked and what didn't work in our response to the disaster, and where oversight of the oil and gas industry broke down.We know, for example, that a cozy relationship between oil and gas companies and agencies that regulate them has long been a source of concern.是我们的法律条文缺乏预防这种石油泄露的规定，还是我们没有按照法律规定贯彻实施，我想知道这一点。我想要知道在应对灾难中，哪些起作用了，哪些没有起作用，以及在油气工业的监管中在哪里出了问题。例如我们知道，油气公司和监管机关的暧昧关系一直都是人们忧虑的隐患。

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has taken steps to address this problem;steps that build on reforms he has been implementing since he took office.But we need to do a lot more to protect the health and safety of our people;to safeguard the quality of our air and water;and to preserve the natural beauty and bounty of America.内务部长肯•萨拉查（Ken Salazar）已经采取措施处理这一问题；这些措施建立在他上任以来就一直在进行的改革方案之上。但我们需要做更多来保护人民的健康和安全；保证我们的空气和水的质量；保卫美国的自然美景和辽阔疆域。

In recent weeks, we've taken a number of immediate measures to prevent another spill.We've ordered inspections of all deepwater operations in the Gulf of Mexico.We’ve announced that no permits for drilling new wells will go forward until the 30-day safety and environmental review I requested is

complete.And I've called on Congress to pass a bill that would provide critical funds and tools to respond to this spill and better prepare us to confront any future spills.最近几周，我们采取了数项紧急措施以预防发生类似泄露。我们责令墨西哥海湾的所有深海作业平台展开检查。我们已经声明，新开钻井在30天的必须的安全和环境评估检查结束之前不允许钻探。同时我要求国会通过一项法案来提供临时资金和手段使我们为应对今后的泄露事件做出更好的准备。

But we also need to take a comprehensive look at how the oil and gas industry operates and how we regulate them.That is why, on Friday, I signed an executive order establishing the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.While there are a number of ongoing investigations, including an independent review by the National Academy of Engineering, the purpose of this Commission is to consider both the root causes of the disaster and offer options on what safety and environmental precautions we need to take to prevent a similar disaster from happening again.This

Commission, I'd note, is similar to one proposed by Congresswoman Capps and Senator Whitehouse.但我们依然需要全面了解油气工业的运营以及我们如何监管他们。这是我周五签署成立关于BP深海地平线石油泄漏和近海钻井的国家调查委员会的行政命令的原因。由于已经有了一些正在进行中的调查，其中包括国家工程研究院的独立调查，该委员会的目标包括找出这次灾难的根源以及提出我们需要采取的安全和环境预防措施来预防类似灾难发生。需要说明的是，该委员会有点类似国会议员Capps和参议员Whitehouse的提议。

I’ve asked Democrat Bob Graham and Republican Bill Reilly to co-chair this Commission.Bob served two terms as Florida’s governor, and represented Florida as a United States Senator for almost two decades.During that time, he earned a reputation as a champion of the environment, leading the most extensive environmental protection effort in the state’s history.我已经邀请民主党的鲍勃•格雷汉姆和共和党的比尔•瑞利共同担任该委员会主席。鲍勃是两届佛罗里达州长，并代表佛罗里达州任美国参议员长达20年。在此期间，他赢得了环境领域的最高荣誉，领导了美国历史上最广泛的环境保护工作。

Bill Reilly is chairman emeritus of the board of the World Wildlife Fund, and he is also deeply knowledgeable about the oil and gas industry.During the

presidency of George H.W.Bush, Bill was Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and his tenure encompassed the Exxon Valdez disaster.比尔•瑞利是世界野生物基金会的退休荣誉主席，在油气工业方面有很深的造诣。在布什总统任职期间，比尔是环境保护局的局长，他在任期内处理了埃克森-瓦尔迪兹号（Exxon Valdez）油轮泄漏事件。

I can’t think of two people who will bring greater experience or better judgment to the task at hand.In the days to come, I’ll appoint 5 other distinguished

Americans – including scientists, engineers, and environmental advocates – to join them on the Commission.And I’m directing them to report back in 6 months with recommendations on how we can prevent – and mitigate the impact of – any future spills that result from offshore drilling.我不能指望两个人就为现在的任务带来更多经验和更好的判断。在接下来的日子里，我将任命另外5名杰出的美国人，包括科学家，工程师以及环保人士加入到这个委员会中。我将任命他们在六个月内返回相关建议：我们如何预防今后由近海钻探引起的石油泄露以及减轻其影响。

One of the reasons I ran for President was to put America on the path to energy independence, and I have not wavered from that commitment.To achieve that goal, we must pursue clean energy and energy efficiency, and we've taken significant steps to do so.And we must also pursue domestic sources of oil and

gas.Because it represents 30 percent of our oil production, the Gulf of Mexico can play an important part in securing our energy future.But we can only

pursue offshore oil drilling if we have assurances that a disaster like the BP oil spill will not happen again.This Commission will, I hope, help provide those assurances so we can continue to seek a secure energy future for the United States of America.我竞选总统的原因之一就是让美国走上能源独立的道路，而且一直以来从未动摇。为达成这一目标，我们必须继续追求清洁能源和能源利用效率，而且我们已经取得了一些重大进展。同时我们还要继续勘探国内的油气资源。因为它代表了我们30%的石油产出，墨西哥海湾在我们未来能源安全中将扮演重要角色。但只有在我们能确保类似BP石油泄露的灾难不会再一次发生，我们才能开采近海石油。我希望，这个委员会能帮助提供相关保障，确保我们继续寻求美国未来的能源安全。

第二篇：奥巴马电台演讲2011-2012

1.Calling on Congress to Prevent Student Interest Rates from Doubling Saturday, April 21, 2012

Hi.This week, I got the chance to sit down with some impressive students at Lorain County Community College in Ohio.One of them was a woman named Andrea Ashley.Two years ago, Andrea lost her job as an HR analyst.Today, she’s getting certified in the fast-growing field of electronic medical records.Before enrolling at Lorain, Andrea told me she was looking everywhere trying to find a new job.But without a degree, she said that nobody would hire her.Andrea’s story isn’t unique.I’ve met so many Americans who are out there pounding the pavement looking for work only to discover that they need new skills.And I’ve met a lot of employers who are looking for workers, but can’t find ones with the skills they’re looking for.So we should be doing everything we can to put higher education within reach for every American – because at a time when the unemployment rate for Americans with at least a college degree is about half the national average, it’s never been more important.But here’s the thing: it’s also never been more expensive.Students who take out loans to pay for college graduate owing an average of $25,000.For the first time, Americans owe more debt on their student loans than they do on their credit cards.And for many working families, the idea of owing that much money means that higher education is simply out of reach for their children.In America, higher education cannot be a luxury.It’s an economic imperative that every family must be able to afford.That’s why next week I’ll be visiting colleges across the country, talking to students about how we can make higher education more affordable – and what’s at stake right now if Congress doesn’t do something about it.You see, if Congress doesn’t act, on July 1st interest rates on some student loans will double.Nearly seven and half million students will end up owing more on their loan payments.That would be a tremendous blow.And it’s completely preventable.This issue didn’t come out of nowhere.For some time now, I’ve been calling on Congress to take steps to make higher education more affordable – to prevent these interest rates from doubling, to extend the tuition tax credit that has saved middle-class families millions of dollars, and to double the number of work-study jobs over the next five years.Instead, over the past few years, Republicans in Congress have voted against new ways to make college more affordable for middle-class families, and voted for huge new tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires – tax cuts that would have to be paid for by cutting things like education and job-training programs that give students new opportunities to work and succeed.We cannot just cut our way to prosperity.Making it harder for our young people to afford higher education and earn their degrees is nothing more than cutting our own future off at the knees.Congress needs to keep interest rates on student loans from doubling, and they need to do it now.This is a question of values.We cannot let America become a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of people struggle to get by.We’ve got to build an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.That’s how the middle class gets stronger.That’s an economy that’s built to last.And I’m not only going to take that case to college campuses next week – I’m going to take it to every part of the country this year.Thanks, and have a great weekend.2.It’s Time for Congress to Pass the Buffett Rule

April 14, 2012

One of the fundamental challenges of our time is building an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.And as many Americans rush to file their taxes this weekend, it’s worth pointing out that we’ve got a tax system that doesn’t always uphold the principle of everyone doing their part.Now, this is not just about fairness.This is also about growth.It’s about being able to make the investments we need to strengthen our economy and create jobs.And it’s about whether we as a country are willing to pay for those investments.In a perfect world, of course, none of us would have to pay any taxes.We’d have no deficits to pay down.And we’d have all the resources we needed to invest in things like schools and roads and a strong military and new sources of energy – investments that have always bolstered our economy and strengthened the middle class.But we live in the real world, with real choices and real consequences.Right now, we’ve got significant deficits to close.We’ve got serious investments to make to keep our economy growing.And we can’t afford to keep spending more money on tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans who don’t need them and didn’t even ask for them.Warren Buffett is one of the wealthiest men in the world.But he pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.That’s just the way the system is set up.In fact, one in four millionaires pays a lower tax rate than millions of hardworking middle-class households.As Warren points out, that’s not fair and it doesn’t make sense.It’s wrong that middle-class Americans pay a higher share of their income in taxes than some millionaires and billionaires.This week, Members of Congress are going to have a chance to set things right.They get to vote on what we call the Buffett Rule.It’s simple: If you make more than $1 million every year, you should pay at least the same percentage of your income in taxes as middle-class families do.On the other hand, if you make less than $250,000 a year--like 98 percent of American families do--your taxes shouldn’t go up.That’s all there is to it.It’s pretty sensible.Most Americans support this idea.One survey found that two-thirds of millionaires do, too.So do nearly half of all Republicans.We just need some Republican politicians to get on board with where the country is.I know they’ll say that this is all about wanting to raise people’s taxes.They probably won’t tell you that if you belong to a middle-class family, then I’ve cut your taxes each year that I’ve been in office, and I’ve cut taxes for small business owners 17 times.But the thing is, for most Americans like me, tax rates are near their lowest point in 50 years.In 2001 and 2003, the wealthiest Americans received two huge new tax cuts.We were told these tax cuts would lead to faster job growth.Instead, we got the slowest job growth in half a century, and the typical American family actually saw its income fall.On the flip side, when the most well-off Americans were asked to pay a little more in the 1990s, we were warned that it would kill jobs.Instead, tens of millions of jobs followed.So we’ve tried this trickle-down experiment before.It doesn’t work.And middle class families have seen too much of their security erode over the past few decades for us to tell them they’re going to have to do more because the wealthiest Americans are going to do less.We can’t stop investing in the things that will help grow our economy and create jobs – things like education, research, new sources of energy – just so folks like me can get another tax cut.So I hope you’ll ask your Member of Congress to step up and echo that call this week by voting for the Buffett Rule.Remind them that in America, prosperity has never just trickled down from a wealthy few.Prosperity has always been built by a strong, thriving middle class.That’s a principle worth reaffirming right now.Thank you, God bless you, and have a great weekend.3.Easter and Passover Greetings from President Obama April 7, 2012

For millions of Americans, this weekend is a time to celebrate redemption at God’s hand.Tonight, Jews will gather for a second Seder, where they will retell the story of the Exodus.And tomorrow, my family will join Christians around the world as we thank God for the all-important gift of grace through the resurrection of His son, and experience the wonder of Easter morning.These holidays have their roots in miracles that took place thousands of years ago.They connect us to our past and give us strength as we face the future.And they remind us of the common thread of humanity that connects us all.For me, and for countless other Christians, Easter weekend is a time to reflect and rejoice.Yesterday, many of us took a few quiet moments to try and fathom the tremendous sacrifice Jesus made for all of us.Tomorrow, we will celebrate the resurrection of a savior who died so that we might live.And throughout these sacred days, we recommit ourselves to following His example.We rededicate our time on Earth to selflessness, and to loving our neighbors.We remind ourselves that no matter who we are, or how much we achieve, we each stand humbled before an almighty God.Christ’s triumph over death holds special meaning for Christians.But all of us, no matter how or whether we believe, can identify with elements of His story.The triumph of hope over despair.Of faith over doubt.The notion that there is something out there that is bigger than ourselves.These beliefs help unite Americans of all faiths and backgrounds.They shape our values and guide our work.They put our lives in perspective.So to all Christians celebrating the Resurrection with us, Michelle and I want to wish you a blessed and Happy Easter.And to all Americans, I hope you have a weekend filled with joy and reflection, focused on the things that matter most.God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.4.Passing the Buffett Rule So That Everyone Pays Their Fair Share March 31, 2012

Hello.Over the last few months, I’ve been talking about a choice we face as a country.We can either settle for an economy where a few people do really well and everyone else struggles to get by, or we can build an economy where hard work pays off again – where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.That’s up to us.Today, I want to talk to you about the idea that everyone in this country should do their fair share.Now, if this were a perfect world, we’d have unlimited resources.No one would ever have to pay any taxes, and we could spend as much as we wanted.But we live in the real world.We don’t have unlimited resources.We have a deficit that needs to be paid down.And we also have to pay for investments that will help our economy grow and keep our country safe: education, research and technology, a strong military, and retirement programs like Medicare and Social Security.That means we have to make choices.When it comes to paying down the deficit and investing in our future, should we ask middle-class Americans to pay even more at a time when their budgets are already stretched to the breaking point? Or should we ask some of the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share?

That’s the choice.Over the last decade, we’ve spent hundreds of billions of dollars on what was supposed to be a temporary tax cut for the wealthiest two percent of Americans.Now we’re scheduled to spend almost a trillion more.Today, the wealthiest Americans are paying taxes at one of the lowest rates in 50 years.Warren Buffett is paying a lower rate than his secretary.Meanwhile, over the last 30 years, the tax rates for middle class families have barely budged.That’s not fair.It doesn’t make any sense.Do we want to keep giving tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans like me, or Warren Buffett, or Bill Gates – people who don’t need them and never asked for them? Or do we want to keep investing in things that will grow our economy and keep us secure? Because we can’t afford to do both.Now, some people call this class warfare.But I think asking a billionaire to pay at least the same tax rate as his secretary is just common sense.We don’t envy success in this country.We aspire to it.But we also believe that anyone who does well for themselves should do their fair share in return, so that more people have the opportunity to get ahead – not just a few.That’s the America I believe in.And in the next few weeks, Members of Congress will get a chance to show you where they stand.Congress is going to vote on what’s called the Buffett Rule: If you make more than $1 million a year, you should pay at least the same percentage of your income in taxes as middle class families do.On the other hand, if you make under $250,000 a year – like 98 percent of American families do – your taxes shouldn’t go up.You’re the ones struggling with the rising cost of everything from college tuition to groceries.You’re the ones who deserve a break.So every Member of Congress is going to go on record.And if they vote to keep giving tax breaks to people like me – tax breaks our country can’t afford – then they’re going to have to explain to you where that money comes from.Either it’s going to add to our deficit, or it’s going to come out of your pocket.Seniors will have to pay more for their Medicare benefits.Students will see their interest rates go up at a time when they can’t afford it.Families who are scraping by will have to do more because the richest Americans are doing less.That’s not right.That’s not who we are.In America, our story has never been about what we can do by ourselves – it’s about what we can do together.It’s about believing in our future and the future of this country.So tell your Members of Congress to do the right thing.Call them up, write them a letter, pay them a visit, and tell them to stop giving tax breaks to people who don’t need them and start investing in the things that will help our economy grow and put people back to work.That’s how we’ll make this country a little fairer, a little more just, and a whole lot stronger.Thank you.5.President Obama Says House Must Pass Bipartisan Transportation Bill Saturday March 24, 2012

Hello.This week, I traveled across the country to talk about my all-of-the-above energy strategy for America – a strategy where we produce more oil and gas here at home, but also more biofuels and fuel-efficient cars;more solar power and wind power and other sources of clean, renewable energy.Now, you wouldn’t know it by listening to some of the folks running for office today, but producing more oil at home has been, and will continue to be, a key part of my energy strategy.Under my Administration, we’re producing more oil than at any other time in the last eight years.We’ve quadrupled the number of operating oil rigs to a record high.And we’ve added enough oil and gas pipeline to circle the entire Earth and then some.Those are the facts.But as I’ve been saying all week, even though America uses around 20 percent of the world’s oil, we only have around 2 percent of the world’s known oil reserves.So even if we drilled everywhere, we’d still be relying on other countries for oil.That’s why we’re pursuing an all-of-the-above strategy.We’re producing more biofuels.More fuel-efficient cars.More solar power.More wind power.This week, I was in Boulder City, Nevada, where they’ve got the largest solar plant of its kind anywhere in the country.That’s the future.I was at Ohio State University, where they’ve developed the fastest electric car in the world.That’s the future.I don’t want to cede these clean energy industries to China or Germany or any other country.I want to see solar panels and wind turbines and fuel-efficient cars manufactured right here in America, by American workers.Now, getting these clean energy industries to locate here requires us to maintain a national commitment to new research and development.But it also requires us to build world-class transportation and communications networks, so that any company can move goods and sell products all around the world as quickly and efficiently as possible.So much of America needs to be rebuilt right now.We’ve got crumbling roads and bridges.A power grid that wastes too much energy.An incomplete high-speed broadband network.And we’ve got thousands of unemployed construction workers who’ve been looking for a job ever since the housing market collapsed.But once again, we’re waiting on Congress.You see, in a matter of days, funding will stop for all sorts of transportation projects.Construction sites will go idle.Workers will have to go home.And our economy will take a hit.This Congress cannot let that happen.Not at a time when we should be doing everything in our power – Democrats and Republicans – to keep this recovery moving forward.The Senate did their part.They passed a bipartisan transportation bill.It had the support of 52 Democrats and 22 Republicans.Now it’s up to the House to follow suit;to put aside partisan posturing, end the gridlock, and do what’s right for the American people.This is common sense.Right now, all across this country, we’ve got contractors and construction workers who have never been more eager to get back on the job.A long term transportation bill would put them to work.And those are good jobs.We just released a report that shows nearly 90 percent of the construction, manufacturing and trade jobs created through investments in transportation projects are middle class jobs.Those are exactly the jobs we need right now, and they’ll make the economy stronger for everybody.We’ve done this before.During the Great Depression, America built the Hoover Dam and the Golden Gate Bridge.After World War II, we connected our states with a system of highways.Democratic and Republican administrations invested in great projects that benefited everybody, from the workers who built them to the businesses that still use them today.So tell Congress that if we invest in new technology and new energy;in new roads and bridges and construction projects, we can keep growing our economy, put our people back to work, and remind the world why the United States is the greatest nation on Earth.Thanks and have a great weekend.

第三篇：奥巴马电台演讲2011-2012

6.Ending Subsidies for Big Oil Companies Saturday, March 17, 2012

Hi, everybody.As I’m sure you’ve noticed over the past few weeks, the price at your local pump has been going up and up.And because it’s an election year, so has the temperature of our political rhetoric.What matters most to me right now is the impact that rising prices have on you.When you’ve got to spend more on gas, you’ve got less to spend on everything else.It makes things harder.So I wanted to take a minute this weekend to explain what steps my Administration is taking when it comes to energy – most importantly, producing more of it while using less of it.The truth is: the price of gas depends on a lot of factors that are often beyond our control.Unrest in the Middle East can tighten global oil supply.Growing nations like China or India adding cars to the road increases demand.But one thing we should control is fraud and manipulation that can cause prices to spike even further.For years, traders at financial firms were able to game the energy markets, distort the price of oil, and make big profits for themselves at your expense.And they were able to do all that because of major gaps and loopholes in our regulations.When I took office, we did something about it.The Wall Street reforms I signed into law are helping bring energy markets out of the shadows and under real oversight.They’re strengthening our ability to go after fraud and to prevent traders from manipulating the market.So it’s not just wrong, but dangerous that some in Congress want to roll back those protections and return to the days when companies like Enron could avoid regulation and reap enormous profits, no matter who it hurt.What’s more, at a time when big oil companies are making more money than ever before, we’re still giving them $4 billion of your tax dollars in subsidies every year.Your member of Congress should be fighting for you.Not for big financial firms.Not for big oil companies.In the next few weeks, I expect Congress to vote on ending these subsidies.And when they do, we’re going to put every single Member of Congress on record: They can either stand up for oil companies, or they can stand up for the American people.They can either place their bets on a fossil fuel from the last century, or they can place their bets on America’s future.So make your voice heard.Send your representative an email.Give them a call.Tell them to stand with you.And tell them to be honest with you.It’s easy to promise a quick fix when it comes to gas prices.There just isn’t one.Anyone who tells you otherwise – any career politician who promises some three-point plan for two-dollar gas – they’re not looking for a solution.They’re just looking for your vote.If we’re truly going to make sure we’re not at the mercy of spikes in gas prices every year, the answer isn’t just to drill more – because we’re already drilling more.Under my Administration, we’re producing more oil here at home than at any time in the last eight years, that’s a fact.We’ve quadrupled the number of operating oil rigs to a record high, that’s a fact.And we’ve opened millions of acres on land and offshore to develop more of our domestic resources.Those are the facts.But we can’t just rely on drilling.Not when we use more than 20 percent of the world’s oil, but still only have 2 percent of the world’s known oil reserves.If we don’t develop other sources of energy, and the technology to use less energy, we’ll continue to be dependent on foreign countries for our energy needs.That’s why we’re pursuing an all-of-the-above strategy.As we develop more oil and gas, we’re also developing wind and solar power;biofuels, and next-generation vehicles – and thousands of Americans have jobs right now because of it.We need to keep making those investments – because I don’t want to see those jobs go to other countries.I want to create even more of them right here in America.And after three decades of inaction, we raised fuel economy standards so that by the middle of the next decade, our cars will average nearly 55 miles per gallon.That’s nearly double what they get today.That means you’ll only have to fill up every two weeks instead of every week.And that will save the typical family more than $8,000 over the life of the car – just by using less gas.Combined, these steps have helped put us on a path to greater energy independence.Since I took office, America’s dependence on foreign oil has gone down every single year.In 2010, for the first time in 13 years, less than half the oil we used came from foreign countries.We can do even better.And we will.But what we can’t do is keep being dependent on other countries for our energy needs.In America we control our own destiny.So that’s the choice we face – the past, or the future.And America is what it is today because we have always placed our bets on the future.Thanks, and have a great weekend.7.Investing in a Clean Energy Future March 10, 2012

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 8.Taking Control of Our Energy Future Saturday, March 3, 2012

Hi, everybody.Earlier this week, I spent some time with the hardworking men and women of the American auto industry, who are busy writing a new chapter in America’s story.Just a few years ago, their industry was shedding hundreds of thousands of jobs.Two of the Big Three – GM and Chrysler – were on the brink of failure.If we had let this great American industry collapse – if we had let Detroit go bankrupt – more than one million Americans would have lost their jobs in the middle of the worst recession since the Great Depression.I refused to let that happen.These jobs are worth more than just a paycheck – they’re a source of pride and a ticket to the middle class.These companies are worth more than just the cars they build – they’re a symbol of American innovation and a source of our manufacturing might.So in exchange for help, we demanded responsibility.We got the companies to retool and restructure.Everyone sacrificed.And three years later, the American auto industry is back.Today, GM is the number one automaker in the world.Chrysler is growing faster in America than any other car company.Ford is investing billions in American plants and factories, and plans to bring thousands of jobs back home.All told, the entire industry has added more than 200,000 new jobs over the past two and a half years.And they’re not just building cars again – they’re building better cars.Thanks to new fuel efficiency standards we put in place, they’re building cars that will average nearly 55 miles per gallon by the middle of the next decade.That’s almost double what they get today.That means folks will be able to fill up every two weeks instead of every week, saving the typical family more than $8,000 at the pump over time.That’s a big deal, especially as families are yet again feeling the pinch from rising gas prices.So what’s happening in Detroit will make a difference.But it won’t solve everything.There’s no silver bullet for avoiding spikes in gas prices every year.There’s no shortcut to taking control of our energy future.We have to pursue an all-of-the-above strategy that helps develop every source of American energy.And we have to do it now.The good news is, we’ve been making progress.Take a look at this chart.Six years ago, 60% of the oil we used was imported.Since I took office, America’s dependence on foreign oil has decreased every single year.In fact, in 2010, for the first time in thirteen years, less than half the petroleum we consumed was imported.Part of that is because we’re producing more oil here at home than at any time in the last eight years.But we can’t just drill our way out of this problem.While we consume 20 percent of the world’s oil, we only have 2 percent of the world’s oil reserves.We’ve got to develop new technology that will help us use new forms of energy.That’s been a priority of mine as President.And because of the investments we’ve made, our use of clean, renewable energy has nearly doubled – and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.Now we need to keep at it.And to do that, we need to make the right choices.Here’s one we can make right now.Every year, $4 billion of your tax dollars go to subsidizing the oil industry.These are the same companies making record profits – tens of billions of dollars a year.I don’t think oil companies need more corporate welfare.Congress should end this taxpayer giveaway.If you agree with me, I’m asking you to e-mail, call, or Tweet your representative.Tell them to stop fighting for oil companies.Tell them to start fighting for working families.Tell them to fight for the clean energy future that’s within our reach.Because the sooner we all get started, the sooner we’ll get there together.Thanks and have a great weekend.9.An All-Of-The-Above Approach to American Energy Saturday, February 25, 2012 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.10.Continuing to Strengthen American Manufacturing Saturday, February 18, 2012

Hello, everybody.I’m speaking to you this week from the Boeing Plant in Everett, Washington.Boeing has been in this community for half a century.But it’s what they’re doing here today that has folks really excited;because at this plant they’re building the plane of the future – the Dreamliner.It’s an impressive sight.And, to be honest, part of why I came was to see it up close.But I also came because this is a great example of how we can bring jobs and manufacturing back to America.You see, the last few decades haven’t been easy for manufacturing in this country.New technology has made businesses more efficient and productive – and that’s good – but it’s also made a lot of jobs obsolete.The result has been painful for a lot of families and communities.Factories where people thought they’d retire have left town.Jobs that provided a decent living have been shipped overseas.And the hard truth is that a lot of those jobs aren’t coming back.But that doesn’t mean we have to settle for a lesser future.I don’t accept that idea.In America, there’s always something we can do to create new jobs and new manufacturing and new security for the middle-class.In America, we don’t give up, we get up.Right now, that’s exactly what we’re doing.Over the past 23 months, businesses have created 3.7 million new jobs.And manufacturers are hiring for the first time since the 1990s.It’s now getting more expensive to do business in places like China.Meanwhile, America is more productive than ever.And companies like Boeing are realizing that even when we can’t make things cheaper than China, we can make things better.That’s how we’re going to compete globally.For Boeing, business right now is booming.Last year, orders for commercial aircraft rose by more than 50 percent.To meet that rising demand, they’ve put thousands of folks to work all over the country.We want to see more of this.We need to make it as easy as we can for our companies to create more jobs in America, not overseas.And that starts with our tax code.No company should get a tax break for outsourcing jobs.Instead, tax breaks should go to manufacturers who set up shop here at home.Bigger tax breaks should go to high-tech manufacturers who create the jobs of the future.And if you relocate your company to a struggling community, you should get help financing that new plant, that new equipment, or training for new workers.It’s time to stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas, and start rewarding businesses that create jobs here in America.And Congress should send me that kind of tax reform right away.Another thing we’re doing is to make it easier for companies like Boeing to sell their products all over the world, because more exports mean more jobs.Two years ago, I set a goal of doubling U.S.exports over five years.And we’re on track to meet that goal – ahead of schedule.We have a big opportunity right now to build not only an economy that will help us succeed today, but an economy that will help our kids and their kids succeed tomorrow.We know what we need to do.We need to strengthen American manufacturing.We need to invest in American-made energy and new skills for American workers.And above all, we need to renew the values that have always made this country great: Hard work.Fair play.Shared responsibility.We can do this.Ask the folks in Everett.Right here, a few years ago, the first Dreamliner took off on its maiden trip.Thousands of employees came to watch.One was an executive office administrator named Sharon O’Hara.As Sharon saw that first plane take flight – a result of so much hard work – she got goose bumps.In her words, she said, “We said we would do it and we did.” That’s the story of America.We said we would do it, and we did.That’s the can-do spirit that makes us who we are.We’ve seen challenging times before.But we always emerge from them stronger.And that’s what we’re going to do again today.Thanks, and have a great weekend.

第四篇：奥巴马电台演讲6.09

Remarks of President Barack Obama

Weekly Address The White House Saturday, June 09, 2012

This week, I spent some time talking with college students about how we can make higher education more affordable.And one of the things I told them was how proud I was that they were making that investment in themselves – because in today’s economy, the best predictor of success is a good education.That’s not just true for our individual success;it’s also true for America’s success.New jobs and new businesses will take root wherever they can find the most highly-educated, highly-skilled workers.And I want those workers to be American workers.I want those good-paying, middle-class jobs to take root right here.So it should concern everyone that right now – all across America – tens of thousands of teachers are getting laid off.In Pennsylvania alone, there are 9,000 fewer educators in our schools today than just a year ago.In Ohio, the number is close to 7,000.And nationwide, over the past three years, school districts have lost over 250,000 educators.Think about what that means for our country.When there are fewer teachers in our schools, class sizes start climbing up.Our students start falling behind.And our economy takes a hit.The point is: teachers matter.One study found that a good teacher can increase the lifetime income of a classroom by over $250,000.A great teacher can change the course of a child’s life.So the last thing our country needs is to have fewer teachers in our schools.Now, I know states are still going through some tough times.I realize that every Governor is dealing with limited resources and many face stark choices when it comes to their budgets.But that doesn’t mean we should just stand by and do nothing.When states struggle, it’s up to Congress to step in and help out.In 2009 and in 2010, we provided aid to states to help keep hundreds of thousands of teachers in the classroom.But we need to do more.That’s why a critical part of the jobs bill that I sent to Congress back in September was to help states prevent even more layoffs and rehire even more teachers who had lost their jobs.But months later, we’re still waiting on Congress to act.When it comes to this recovery, we can’t fully control everything that happens in other parts of the world.But there are plenty of things we can control.There are plenty of steps we can take, right now, to strengthen our economy.Putting teachers back in our kids’ classrooms is one of those steps.And there’s no excuse for inaction.You work hard.Your leaders should, too.Especially at this make-or-break moment for the middle class.I know this is an election year.But some things are bigger than an election.Some things are bigger than politics.So I hope you’ll join me in telling Congress to do the right thing;to get to work and to help get our teachers back in the classroom.We can’t afford to wait any longer.Thanks and have a great weekend.

第五篇：奥巴马电台演讲2011-2012

16.Continuing to Grow the Economy in the New Year Saturday, January 7, 2012

Hello, everybody.This week, I traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, to talk with folks about the biggest challenge we face as a country – rebuilding our economy so that, once again, hard work pays off, responsibility is rewarded, and anyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, can make it if they try.That’s the economy America deserves.That’s the economy I’m fighting every day to build.Now, to get there, the most important thing we need to do is get more Americans back to work.And over the past three years, we’ve made steady progress.We just learned that our economy added 212,000 private sector jobs in December.After losing more than 8 million jobs in the recession, we’ve added more than 3 million private sector jobs over the past 22 months.And we’re starting 2012 with manufacturing on the rise and the American auto industry on the mend.We’re heading in the rightdirection.And we’re not going to let up.On Wednesday the White House will host a forum called “Insourcing American Jobs.” We’ll hear from business leaders who are bringing jobs back home and see how we can help other businesses follow their lead.Because this is a make or break moment for the middle class and all those working to get there.We’ve got to keep at it.We’ve got to keep creating jobs.And we’ve got to keep rebuilding our economy so that everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share – and everyone plays by the same rules.We can’t go back to the days when the financial system was stacking the deck against ordinary Americans.To me, that’s not an option.Not after all we’ve been through.That’s why I appointed Richard Cordray as our nation’s new consumer watchdog this week.Richard’s job is simple: to look out for you.Every day, his sole mission is to protect consumers from potential abuses by the financial industry and to make sure that you’ve got all the transparent information you need to make the important financial decisions in your lives.I nominated Richard for this job last summer.And yet, Republicans in the Senate kept blocking his confirmation – not because they objected to him, but because they wanted to weaken his agency.That made no sense.Every day we waited was a day you and consumers all across the country were at greater financial risk.So this year, I’m going to keep doing whatever it takes to move this economy forward and to make sure that middle class families regain the security they’ve lost over the past decade.That’s my New Year’s resolution to all of you.Thank you, and have a great weekend

17.Working Together in the New Year Saturday, December 31, 2011

Hello, everybody.As 2011 comes to an end and we look ahead to 2012, I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year.The last year has been a time of great challenge and great progress for our country.We ended one war and began to wind down another.We dealt a crippling blow to al-Qaeda and made America more secure.We stood by our friends and allies around the world through natural disasters and revolutions.And we began to see signs of economic recovery here at home, even as too many Americans are still struggling to get ahead.There’s no doubt that 2012 will bring even more change.And as we head into the New Year, I’m hopeful that we have what it takes to face that change and come out even stronger – to grow our economy, create more jobs, and strengthen the middle class.I’m hopeful because of what we saw right before Christmas, when Members of Congress came together to prevent a tax hike for 160 million Americans – saving a typical family about $40 in every paycheck.They also made sure Americans looking for work won’t see their unemployment insurance cut off.And I expect Congress to finish the job by extending these provisions through the end of 2012.It was good to see Members of Congress do the right thing for millions of working Americans.But it was only possible because you added your voices to the debate.Through email and Twitter and over the phone, you let your representatives know what was at stake.Your lives.Your families.Your well-being.You had the courage to believe that your voices could make a difference.And at the end of the day, they made all the difference.More than anything else, you are the ones who make me hopeful about 2012.Because we’ve got some difficult debates and some tough fights to come.As I’ve said before, we are at a make-or-break moment for the middle class.And in many ways, the actions we take in the months ahead will help determine what kind of country we want to be, and what kind of world we want our children and grandchildren to grow up in.As President, I promise to do everything I can to make America a place where hard work and responsibility are rewarded – one where everyone has a fair shot and everyone does their fair share.That’s the America I believe in.That’s the America we’ve always known.And I’m confident that if we work together, and if you keep reminding folks in Washington what’s at stake, then we will move this country forward and guarantee every American the opportunities they deserve.Thanks for watching, and from Michelle, Malia, Sasha, Bo and myself, Happy New Year.18.The President and First Lady Thank our Troops for their Service December 24, 2011 THE PRESIDENT: Hi everyone.As you gather with family and friends this weekend, Michelle, Malia, Sasha and I – and of course Bo – want to wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.THE FIRST LADY: This is such a wonderful time of year.It’s a time to honor the story of love and redemption that began 2,000 years ago „ a time to see the world through a child’s eyes and rediscover the magic all around us „ and a time to give thanks for the gifts that bless us every single day.This holiday season at the White House, we wanted to show our thanks with a special holiday tribute to some of the strongest, bravest, and most resilient members of our American family – the men and women who wear our country’s uniform and the families who support them.THE PRESIDENT: For many military families, the best gift this year is a simple one – welcoming a loved one back for the holidays.You see, after nearly nine years, our war in Iraq is over.Our troops are coming home.And across America, military families are being reunited.So let’s take a moment to give thanks for their service;for their families’ service;for our veterans’ service.And let’s say a prayer for all our troops standing post all over the world, especially our brave men and women in Afghanistan who are serving, even as we speak, in harm’s way to protect the freedoms and security we hold dear.THE FIRST LADY: Our veterans, troops, and military families sacrifice so much for us.So this holiday season, let’s make sure that all of them know just how much we appreciate everything they do.Let’s ask ourselves, “How can I give back? How can my family serve them as well as they’ve served us”

One way you can get started is to visit JoiningForces.gov to find out how you can get involved in your community.THE PRESIDENT: Giving of ourselves;service to others – that’s what this season is all about.For my family and millions of Americans, that’s what Christmas is all about.It reminds us that part of what it means to love God is to love one another, to be our brother’s keeper and our sister’s keeper.But that belief is not just at the center of our Christian faith, it’s shared by Americans of all faiths and backgrounds.It’s why so many of us, every year, volunteer our time to help those most in need;especially our hungry and our homeless.So whatever you believe, wherever you’re from, let’s remember the spirit of service that connects us all this season – as Americans.Each of us can do our part to serve our communities and our country, not just today, but every day.19.Honoring Those Who Served in Iraq

December 17, 2011 This week marked an historic moment in the life of our country and our military.For nearly nine years, our nation has been at war in Iraq.More than 1.5 million Americans have served there with honor, skill, and bravery.Tens of thousands have been wounded.Military families have sacrificed greatly – none more so than the families of those nearly 4,500 Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice.All of them – our troops, veterans, and their families – will always have the thanks of a grateful nation.On Thursday, the colors our Armed Forces fought under in Iraq were formally cased in a ceremony in Baghdad before beginning their journey back home.Our troops are now preparing to make their final march across the border and out of the country.Iraq’s future will be in the hands of its own people.Our war there will be over.All of our troops will be out of Iraq.And this holiday season, all of us can finally say: welcome home.This is an extraordinary achievement – one made possible by the hard work and sacrifice of the men and women who had the courage to serve.And there’s a lesson to learn from that – a lesson about our character as a nation.See, there’s a reason our military is the most respected institution in America.They don’t see themselves or each other as Democrats first or Republicans first.They see themselves as Americans first.For all our differences and disagreements, they remind us that we are all a part of something bigger;that we are one nation and one people.And for all our challenges, they remind us that there is nothing we can’t do when we stick together.They’re the finest our nation has to offer.Many will remain in the military and go on to the next mission.Others will take off the uniform and become veterans.But their commitment to service doesn’t end when they take off the uniform – in fact, I’m confident the story of their service to America is just beginning.After years of rebuilding Iraq, it is time to enlist our veterans and all our people in the work of rebuilding America.Folks like my grandfather came back from World War II to form the backbone of the largest middle class in history.And today’s generation of veterans – the 9/11 Generation of veterans – is armed with the skills, discipline, and leadership to attack the defining challenge of our time: rebuilding an economy where hard work pays off, where responsibility is rewarded, where anyone can make it if they try.Now it is up to us to serve these brave men and women as well as they serve us.Every day, they meet their responsibilities to their families and their country.Now it’s time to meet ours – especially those of us who you sent to serve in Washington.This cannot be a country where division and discord stand in the way of our progress.This is a moment where we must come together to ensure that every American has the chance to work for a decent living, own their own home, send their kids to college, and secure a decent retirement.This is a moment for us to build a country that lives up to the ideals that so many of our bravest Americans have fought and even died for.That is our highest obligation as citizens.That is the welcome home that our troops deserve.Thank you.20.Ensuring a Fair Shot for the Middle Class Saturday, December 10, 2011

Today, America faces a make-or-break moment for the middle class.After the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes, some still want to return to the same policies that got us into this mess.They’re the same policies that have stacked the deck against working Americans for too long.They’re part of a philosophy that says we’re better off when everyone is left to fend for themselves and play by their own rules.But I have a different vision.I believe that we are greater together than we are on our own.I believe that this country succeeds when everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone engages in fair play.To ensure fair play, last year, we passed the toughest financial reform in generations.See, for too long, the rules weren’t the same on Wall Street as they were on Main Street.Risky bets were made with other people’s money.Some folks made a lot of money taking advantage of consumers.It was wrong.And this irresponsible behavior on the part of some contributed to the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.So this financial reform refocuses the financial sector on what’s really important: getting capital to entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses, and financing to millions of families who want to buy a house or send their kids to college.A key part of that was putting in place the first-ever consumer watchdog – someone whose job it is to protect American families from being taken advantage of by mortgage lenders, payday lenders, and debt collectors.Tens of millions of Americans use these services.Protecting them from unscrupulous practices is an important job.And that’s why I nominated Richard Cordray to serve as the head of this consumer watchdog agency.As the former Attorney General of Ohio, Richard helped recover billions of dollars on behalf of retirees and stood up to dishonest lending practices.He has the support of most Attorneys General across the country, both Democrats and Republicans.Members of Congress from both parties say he’s more than qualified for the job.And yet on Thursday, Republicans blocked his nomination.They refused to even allow it to come up for a vote.That doesn’t make any sense.Do Republicans in Congress think our financial crisis was caused by too much oversight of mortgage lenders or debt collectors? Of course not.And every day America has to wait for a new consumer protection watchdog is another day that dishonest businesses can target and take advantage of students, seniors, and service members.So I refuse to take “no” for an answer.Financial institutions have plenty of high-powered lawyers and lobbyists looking out for them.It’s time consumers had someone on their side.And while they’re at it, Republicans in Congress should stop the games and extend the payroll tax cut for working Americans.Because if they don’t, nearly 160 million Americans will see their taxes go up at the end of this month.Congress can’t end the year by taking money out of the pockets of working Americans.Now is not the time for playing politics.Now is the time to do what’s right for the American people.No one should go home for the holidays until we get this done.So tell your Members of Congress, don’t be a Grinch.Tell them to do the right thing for you and for our economy.Thank you.20.