奥巴马总统每周电台演讲:阿富汗的新篇章
This week, I traveled to Afghanistan–to thank our troops serving far from home, and to sign an historic agreement that will help us complete our mission and end the war.
As Commander-in-Chief, nothing is more humbling or inspiring than the chance to spend some time with our troops. At Bagram Air Base, I visited with some of our outstanding men and women in uniform. I thanked them for their extraordinary service. And I let them know that America honors their sacrifice.
Because of their bravery and dedication, the tide of war has turned in Afghanistan. We have broken the Taliban’s momentum. We’ve built strong Afghan Security Forces. We have devastated al Qaeda’s leadership. And one year ago, our troops launched the operation that killed Osama bin Laden. The goal that I set – to defeat al Qaeda, and deny it a chance to rebuild – is within reach.
Because of the progress we have made, I was able to sign an historic agreement between the United States and Afghanistan that defines a new kind of relationship between our countries – a future in which Afghans are responsible for the security of their nation, and we build an equal partnership between two sovereign states; a future in which the war ends, and a new chapter begins.
The enormous sacrifices of our men and women in uniform are not over. But many of our troops are already coming home. Last year, we removed 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Another 23,000 will leave by the end of the summer. As our coalition agreed, by the end of 2014, the Afghans will be fully responsible for the security of their country
And this is as it should be. Because after more than a decade of war, it is time to focus on nation building here at home.
As a new greatest generation returns from overseas, we must ask ourselves, what kind of country will they come back to? Will it be a country where a shrinking number of Americans do really well while a growing number barely get by? Or will it be a country where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules – a country with opportunity worthy of the troops who protect us?
America has answered this question before. My grandfather, a veteran of Patton’s Army, got the chance to go to college on the GI Bill. My grandmother, who worked on a bomber assembly line, was part of a workforce that turned out the best products on Earth. They contributed to a story of success that every American had the chance to share in, the basic American promise that if you work hard, you could do well enough to raise a family, own a home, send your kids to college, and put a little away for retirement.
Keeping that promise alive is the defining issue of our time. But it means making responsible choices.
I don’t think we should prioritize things like more tax cuts for millionaires while cutting the kinds of investments that built a strong middle class.
That’s why I’ve called on Congress to take the money we’re no longer spending at war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use the other half to rebuild America.
Because we’ve got more jobs to create. More students to educate. More clean energy to generate. More entrepreneurs with the next great idea, just looking for their shot at success. We’ve got to invest in things like education and medical research. We’ve got to build newer, faster transportation and communication networks. And we’ve got to secure the care and benefits our veterans have earned, so that we serve them as well as they have served us.
Every time I have the privilege of meeting with our troops, I’m struck by their courage, their commitment, their selflessness, and their teamwork. They have something to teach us. Recovering from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression is a work in progress–but if we follow their example, then I have no doubt we will preserve the promise of this country, protect the freedoms we cherish, and leave for our children an America that’s built to last.
God bless you, and have a great weekend.
本周，我访问了阿富汗，去那里向我们远在他乡执行任务的战士们致谢，并与当地政府签署一项结束我们在当地的任务、结束那场战争的历史性协议。
作为最高统帅，能有机会与我们的战士们在一起，我满怀谦卑并受到无比的鼓舞。在巴格拉姆空军基地，我与部分优秀的男女士兵会面。我向他们超乎寻常的付出表示感谢，并代表全国向他们做出的牺牲致敬。
正是有了他们的英勇和付出，阿富汗的战局才得以扭转。我们击溃了塔利班的进攻势头。为阿富汗建立起强大的安全部队。瓦解了基地组织的领导力量。一年前，我们的部队成功实施了击毙乌萨马-本-拉登的行动。我所设定的击败基地组织，不让他们有东山再起的机会的目标马上就要实现。
正是有了我们取得的这些成就，我才能代表美国与阿富汗签署一项历史性的协议，重新定义两国关系：未来，阿富汗人民将负责起自己国家的安全，我们将在两个主权国家之间建立起平等的伙伴关系，未来，战争将走向结束，新的篇章将展开。
尽管我们的战士们付出的巨大牺牲还没有完全结束。但有大量部队已经返回国内。去年，我们已经从阿富汗撤回1万名士兵。到今年夏季末，另外2.3万部队也将撤出。根据我们的联合声明，到2014年底，阿富汗将完全依靠自己的力量负责其自身的安全。
这是应有的景象。在10多年的战争之后，现在到了我们关注国内建设的时候了。
当这一批伟大的战士们从国外回来，我们不禁要问我们自己，他们应该回到一个什么样的国家？应该是一个成功人士数量不断减少而勉强度日的人数不断增长的国度吗？还是应该是一个人人都享有公平的机遇、人人都承担公平的义务、人人都遵从同样的游戏规则的国度，一个值得他们去保护的充满机遇的国度？
美国曾经很好的回答了这个问题。我的祖父，一名巴顿将军部队的老兵，因为G1法案而有机会上大学。我的祖母，曾在轰炸机生产线工作，她是我们生产全球最优秀的产品的劳动大军中的一员。他们的经历撰写了每个美国人都有分享成功机会的传奇，并说明了只要你努力工作，你就能做的很好，能够供养家庭、买得起房子、能把孩子送上大学、能为退休积攒一些积蓄这一基本的国家对人民的承诺。
恪守这些承诺是关系我们如何定义这个时代的重大问题。这也意味着我们要做出负责任的选择。
我认为我们不应优先考虑为百万富翁们减税而削减为建设一个强大的中产阶级而做出的投资这类事情。
这也是我呼吁国会将因战事结束而留下来的钱，用一半来偿还我们的债务，用另一半来重建我们的国家的原因。
因为我们还需要创造更多就业岗位，让更多学生完成学业。生产更多清洁能源。让更多怀揣伟大创意的企业家有机会获得成功。我们需要在教育和医疗研究上进行投资。我们需要建设更新、更快的交通运输网络和通信网络。我们还需要保障我们的退伍军人得到应得的照料和福利，我们要像他们曾经为我们服务一样为他们服务，让他们有一份安宁的生活。
每次当我有机会与我们的战士们见面，我总是被他们英勇、献身、无私和团结的精神所深深打动。他们是我们学习的榜样。从大萧条以来的最严重的经济危机中复苏的工作还在进行中，但如果我们以他们为榜样，我对我们继续秉承我们国家对人民的承诺、保护我们所珍视的自由理念、为我们的子孙后代留下一个可持续发展的美国充满信心。
上帝保佑大家，周末愉快！
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