麦哲伦英语 第 61 课：The Government of the United States 美国的政体

Washington, Lincoln, Eisenhower, Kennedy — some of the great names of American history, the names of her presidents. 华盛顿、林肯、艾森豪威尔、肯尼迪——这些美国历史上赫赫有名的人物，都曾是美国的总统。

These days, the American President is one of the most powerful men in the world.时至今日，美国总统是世界上最有权势的人物之一。

He can make war, or peace. He can touch the lives of millions in many different countries, but the President cannot do just what he wants. The Congress must agree first. 他能发动战争，也可带来和平；他能触及诸多国家的几百万条性命，不过他也不可随心所欲。总统要做的事要事先得到国会的批准。

In some ways, the United States is like fifty small countries and not one large one. Every state has its own governor, its own police, and its own laws. 在某些方面，美国像是五十个小国而不是一个统一的大国。各州均有自己的州长、自己的警察和法律。

For example, in some states you can buy an alcoholic drink when you are 18. In others, you must wait until you are 21. 比如，在有些州，年满十八岁可以买酒精饮料，但在其他州，要等到二十一岁才行。

The government of the whole country (the 'federal' government) works from Washington, the capital city. This is where Congress is based. 整个国家的政府（联邦政府）办公地点在首都华盛顿，国会也在此。

Congress has two parts, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. 国会由两部分组成：参议院和众议院。

There are 100 members of the Senate (called Senators), two from each state. The President cannot act without the Senate's agreement. 参议院有一百名成员（称为参议员），每州两名。未经参议院同意总统不能采取任何行动。

The House of Representatives has 435 members. Like the senators, they can make new laws. 众议院有四百三十五名众议员。和参议员一样，他们可制定新法。

Americans choose a new President every four years. The election is a great occasion. 美国总统每四年选举一次。总统选举是个重要事件。

It is serious business, of course, but the Americans make sure that it is fun too. 它当然是很严肃的，不过美国人也会让其充满乐趣。