America cannot afford politics as usual at a moment of such vital import for now and for the longer term. Many Americans have experienced great hardship since the recession began; unemployment has become long term for large numbers, with potentially permanent damage through loss of skills; and current economic conditions could remain stressed for an extended time due to the strong headwinds we face. Policy decisions can make a real difference to these conditions, for better or for worse.
無論是就目前還是更長期而言,這都是一個極爲重要的時刻,美國承受不起政治運作一切照舊的代價。自衰退開始以來,許多美國人經歷了巨大的苦難;對許多人來說,失業已變成長期現實,技能的喪失可能造成永久損害;由於我們面臨的強勁阻力,當前的經濟緊張局面可能持續很長一段時期。政策決定可以切實改變這些局面——可能更好,也可能更糟。