American tax reform
美国税制改革
本文英文部分选自经济学人Leaders版块
Worry about the Republicans’ tax bill—and how it was passed
If politicians sever their arguments from reality, economic policy will only get worse
sever
[动词 + 名词短语](formal)
~ sth (from sth) to cut sth into two pieces; to cut sth off sth 切开；割断；切下；割下
to sever a rope 割断绳子
a severed artery
切断的动脉
His hand was severed from his arm.
他的手从胳膊上截断了。
to completely end a relationship or all communication with sb 断绝；中断
同义词 break off
The two countries have severed all diplomatic links .
两国断绝了一切外交关系。
SOME political theorists argue that the law draws legitimacy not just from voting, but also from public debate before legislation is passed. In voting through a tax-reform bill on December 2nd, Republicans in Congress have tested this principle to destruction. The bill, like most, has its strengths and its weaknesses, but Republicans have rushed it through disregarding the value of consistency and evidence.Their success willweigh onthe quality of American government.
legitimate
for which there is a fair and acceptable reason 正当合理的；合情合理的
a legitimate grievance
合乎情理的抱怨
It seemed a perfectly legitimate question.
这似乎是完全合乎情理的问题。
Politicians are legitimate targets for satire.
政客理所当然是讽刺的对象。
allowed and acceptable according to the law 合法的；法律认可的；法定的
the legitimate government of the country
这个国家的合法政府
Is his business strictly legitimate?
他的生意是否绝对合法？
illegitimate
(of a child 小孩) born when its parents are legally married to each other 合法婚姻所生的
illegitimate
[派生词]
legitimacy
|lɪˈdʒɪtɪməsi|
[不可数名词]the dubious legitimacy of her argument
她的论证是否站得住脚
I intend to challenge the legitimacy of his claim.
我打算对他声称的是否正确提出质疑。
legislation
[不可数名词]
a law or a set of laws passed by a parliament 法规；法律
an important piece of legislation
一条重要的法规
New legislation on the sale of drugs will be introduced next year.
有关药物销售的新法规将于明年出台。
the process of making and passing laws 立法；制订法律
Legislation will be difficult and will take time.
立法既费力又耗时。
Weign on：使苦恼，重压于，压在心上，使烦恼
The Senate’s bill is broadly similar to one that passed in the House of Representatives in November. It would slash the corporate tax rate from 35% to 20% (albeit a year later than the House bill). Taxes for unincorporated businesses and individuals would fall substantially. The personal exemption, which reduces a household’s taxable income in accordance with its size, would be replaced with a much higher standard deduction, the flat amount that can be earned tax-free. The child tax credit would also rise. To raise money, the bill curbs some deductions, such as those for debt interest and state levies.
slash
to make a long cut with a sharp object, especially in a violent way （用利器）砍，劈
Someone had slashed the tyres on my car.
有人把我的汽车轮胎割破了。
She tried to kill herself by slashing her wrists.
她试图割腕自杀。
We had to slash our way through the undergrowth with sticks.
我们挥舞着木棍一路劈砍，才在密林里开出一条路，穿了过去。
[常用被动态] (often used in newspapers 常用于报章) to reduce sth by a large amount 大幅度削减；大大降低
to slash costs/prices/fares, etc.
大幅度降低成本、价格、车费等
The workforce has been slashed by half.
职工人数裁减了一半。
albeit
(formal) although 尽管；虽然
He finally agreed, albeit reluctantly, to help us.
尽管勉强，他最后还是同意帮助我们。
exemption
[不可数名词, 可数名词] ~ (from sth) official permission not to do sth or pay sth that you would normally have to do or pay 免除；豁免
She was given exemption from the final examination.
她已获准期末免试。
[可数名词] a part of your income that you do not have to pay tax on （指部分收入）免税
a tax exemption on money donated to charity
给慈善机构的捐款免税
deduction
[不可数名词, 可数名词] the process of using information you have in order to understand a particular situation or to find the answer to a problem 演绎；推论；推理
He arrived at the solution by a simple process of deduction.
他通过一番简单的推理得出了解决问题的方法。
If my deductions are correct, I can tell you who the killer was.
如果我的推论正确的话，我可以告诉你谁是凶手。
——see also deduce ——compare induction (3)
[不可数名词, 可数名词] the process of taking an amount of sth, especially money, away from a total; the amount that is taken away 扣除（额）；减去（数）
deductions from your pay for tax, etc.
从工资中扣除税金等的数额
tax deductions
税金扣除额
curb
[动词 + 名词短语] to control or limit sth, especially sth bad 控制，抑制，限定，约束（不好的事物）
He needs to learn to curb his temper.
他得学着控制自己的脾气。
A range of policies have been introduced aimed at curbing inflation.
为了抑制通货膨胀实施了一系列的政策。
~ (on sth) something that controls and puts limits on sth 起控制（或限制）作用的事物
curbs on government spending
对政府开支的限制措施
Lawmakers reconciling the bills confront three main differences. First, the Senate proposal leaves the deduction for mortgage interest mostly intact; the House wisely wants to curb it. Second, whereas the House would abolish the estate (inheritance) tax entirely, the Senate would keep it. It is right to do so, though it would double the threshold at which the tax kicks in, from $22.4m (for couples). Third, the Senate has tacked on a repeal of Obamacare’s individual mandate, a fine for Americans who do not buy health insurance even if they can afford it.
reconcile
~ sth (with sth) to find an acceptable way of dealing with two or more ideas, needs, etc. that seem to be opposed to each other 使和谐一致；调和；使配合
an attempt to reconcile the need for industrial development with concern for the environment
协调工业发展的需要和环境保护之间关系的努力
It was hard to reconcile his career ambitions with the needs of his children.
他很难兼顾事业上的抱负和孩子们的需要。
[常用被动态] ~ sb (with sb) to make people become friends again after an argument or a disagreement 使和解；使和好如初
The pair were reconciled after Jackson made a public apology.
杰克逊公开道歉之后，这两个人又言归于好了。
He has recently been reconciled with his wife.
他最近已经和妻子和好了。
~ sb/yourself (to sth) to make sb/yourself accept an unpleasant situation because it is not possible to change it 将就；妥协
resign yourself to
He could not reconcile himself to the prospect of losing her.
他一想到有可能失去她，就觉得难以忍受。
senate
(usually the Senate)
[单数] one of the two groups of elected politicians who make laws in some countries, for example in the US, Australia, Canada and France. The Senate is smaller than the other group but higher in rank. Many state parliaments in the US also have a Senate. 参议院（美国、澳大利亚、加拿大、法国等国家的两个立法机构之一；美国许多州议会也设有参议院）
a member of the Senate 参议员
a Senate committee 参议院委员会
[可数名词, 常用单数形式, 不可数名词] (in some countries) the group of people who control a university （某些国家的）大学理事会，大学评议会
the senate of London University
伦敦大学评议会
[单数] (in ancient Rome) the most important council of the government; the building where the council met （古罗马的）元老院
repeal
[动词 + 名词短语] if a government or other group or person with authority repeals a law, that law is no longer valid 废除，撤销，废止（法规）
mandate
|ˈmændeɪt|
~ (to do sth) | ~ (for sth) the authority to do sth, given to a government or other organization by the people who vote for it in an election （政府或组织等经选举而获得的）授权
The election victory gave the party a clear mandate to continue its programme of reform.
选举获胜使得这个政党拥有了明确的继续推行改革的权力。
a mandate for an end to the civil war
停止内战的权力
the period of time for which a government is given power （政府的）任期
The presidential mandate is limited to two terms of four years each.
总统的任期不得超过两届，每届四年。
~ (to do sth) (formal) an official order given to sb to perform a particular task 委托书；授权令
The bank had no mandate to honour the cheque.
银行没有得到指令来承兑这张支票。
the power given to a country to govern another country or region, especially in the past （尤指旧时授予某国对别国或地区的）委任统治权
【动词】
(especially North American English) to order sb to behave, do sth or vote in a particular way 强制执行；委托办理
[动词 (+ that从句)]
The law mandates that imported goods be identified as such.
法律规定进口货物必须如实标明。
[also 动词 + 名词短语 + 带to的不定式, 动词 + 名词短语]
[动词 + 名词短语 + 带to的不定式] to give sb, especially a government or a committee, the authority to do sth 授权
The assembly was mandated to draft a constitution.
大会被授权起草一份章程。
One test of the final bill is its effect on the economy. On the one hand it would limit deductions in favour of cuts to marginal tax rates—a worthwhile reform. On the other it will increase inequality, largely because business-owners tend to be rich, and it will add a trillion dollars in public borrowing by 2027, according to an official projection for the Senate’s bill.
But there is another test, which is the effect on governance. The Republicans have argued that their bill is aimed at helping middle-class Americans and that it will spark enough economic growth to pay for itself. This is belied by experience— witness the rise in deficits after the tax cuts of 1981 and the early 2000s(see page 31). Not even economists in sympathetic think tanks believe that the Republican claims will be borne out. Steve Mnuchin, the treasury secretary, has failed to produce any analysis justifying his predictions of much higher growth (his department’s inspector-general is investigating why not). The Treasury did, however, delete a study from its website that was unhelpful to the administration’s argument.
belie
(belies, belying, belied, belied)
[动词 + 名词短语](formal)
to give a false impression of sb/sth 掩饰；遮掩；使…给人以假象
Her energy and youthful good looks belie her 65 years.
她的活力与年轻美貌使人看不出她有65岁了。
to show that sth cannot be true or correct 显示（某事）不正确；证明（某事）错误
Government claims that there is no poverty are belied by the number of homeless people on the streets.
大街上无家可归者的人数证明政府所声称的没有贫困的说法是谎言。
sympathetic
~ (to/towards sb) kind to sb who is hurt or sad; showing that you understand and care about their problems 同情的；有同情心的；表示同情的
a sympathetic listener
体恤别人的听者
I did not feel at all sympathetic towards Kate.
我对凯特一点也不同情。
I'm here if you need a sympathetic ear (= sb to talk to about your problems) .
要是你想诉诉苦，那就跟我说吧。
~ (to/towards sb/sth) showing that you approve of sb/sth or that you share their views and are willing to support them 赞同的；支持的
to be sympathetic to the party's aims
赞同该党的目标
Russian newspapers are largely sympathetic to the president.
俄罗斯报章大都支持总统。
(of a person 人) easy to like 让人喜欢的；招人喜爱的
a sympathetic character in a novel
小说中一个讨人喜欢的人物
I don't find her a very sympathetic person.
我觉得她并不十分招人喜欢。
treasury
the Treasury [单数名词 +单数/复数 动词] (in Britain, the US and some other countries) the government department that controls public money （英国、美国和其他一些国家的）财政部
[可数名词] a place in a castle, etc. where valuable things are stored （城堡等中的）金银财宝库，宝库
All politicians exaggerate the benefits of their policies, and some Republicans have made unconvincing claims about the rewards of tax cuts for decades. However, in the1980s the party undertook a robust debate over the merits of supply-side economics, and in the 2000s George W. Bush’s own economists cautioned against over-rosy growth forecasts. This time, most Republican senators simply brushed off the official projection that the bill’s effects would contradict their sunny promises. In addition, they attacked the independent forecasters whom they have previously championed as a valuable restraint on self-serving politicians. And to minimize scrutiny, they rushed the bill through barely a day after the forecast was released. Perhaps, after the failure of health-care reform, they were desperate for a significant legislative achievement.
contradict
to say that sth that sb else has said is wrong, and that the opposite is true 反驳；驳斥；批驳
[动词 + 名词短语]
All evening her husband contradicted everything she said.
整个晚上她说什么丈夫都反驳。
You've just contradicted yourself (= said the opposite of what you said before) .
你恰好与你以前说的自相矛盾。
[also 动词 + 直接引语, 动词 + 名词短语 + 直接引语]
[动词 + 名词短语] (of statements or pieces of evidence 陈述或证据) to be so different from each other that one of them must be wrong 相抵触；相矛盾；相反
The two stories contradict each other.
这两种说法相互抵触。
restraint
[可数名词, 常用复数] ~ (on sb/sth) a rule, a fact, an idea, etc. that limits or controls what people can do 约束力；管制措施；制约因素
The government has imposed export restraints on some products.
政府对一些产品实行了出口控制。
[不可数名词] the act of controlling or limiting sth because it is necessary or sensible to do so 控制；限制
wage restraint 薪限
[不可数名词] the quality of behaving calmly and with control 克制；抑制；约束
The police appealed to the crowd for restraint.
警方呼吁群众保持克制。
He exercised considerable restraint in ignoring the insults.
他表现出极大的克制，没去理会种种侮辱。
[不可数名词](formal) the use of physical force to control sb who is behaving in a violent way （武力）阻止，制止，制伏
the physical restraint of prisoners
对囚犯的人身限制
[可数名词](formal) a type of seat belt or safety device 座椅安全带；安全装置
Children must use an approved child restraint or adult seat belt.
儿童必须使用经过认可的儿童安全带或成人座椅安全带。
A lack of consistency makes Republicans seem unprincipled. They have spent the past decade claiming that the national debt is among their main concerns. In 2009 they opposed President Barack Obama’s fiscal stimulus, arguing that it was unaffordable. Yet it cost less than today’s tax bill would. It passed when unemployment was over 8% and interest rates were stuck near zero. Today unemployment is 4.1% and rates have started rising because the Federal Reserve is worried about inflation. The Fed will probably raise rates faster after the tax bill, limiting the boost to economic growth.
stimulus
~ (to/for sth) | ~ (to do sth)
[常用单数形式] something that helps sb/sth to develop better or more quickly 促进因素；激励因素；刺激物
Books provide children with ideas and a stimulus for play.
书不仅给孩子们以思想，而且使他们玩得更有意思。
The new tax laws should act as a stimulus to exports.
新税法应该能促进出口。
something that produces a reaction in a human, an animal or a plant （使生物产生反应的）刺激，刺激物
sensory/verbal/visual stimuli
感官 / 言语 / 视觉刺激
The animals were conditioned to respond to auditory stimuli (= sounds) .
经过训练，那些动物对声音形成了条件反射。
The whiff of self-enrichment does not help. President Donald Trump assures Americans that the bill will be “not good” for his bank balance. Without seeing histax returns, that is impossible to know.But he holds interests in around 500 “pass- through” businesses, which are among the main beneficiaries of the tax bill. As a property developer, he is almost uniquely fortunate in being allowed to keep most of his tax exemptions.
Tax return
纳税申报单
Talking is good
对话有益
When Democrats cried foul after the bill passed, Mitch McConnell, the Senate leader, retorted that: “You complain about process when you are losing.” Nonsense. A robust and factual debate is essential to good policymaking. The erosion of standards will feed on itself. Already, some voices on the left are saying that deficits should never again stop Democrats from spending freely when they are in power. In a country facing a huge long-term fiscal shortfall, that is a worrying thought.
democrat
a person who believes in or supports democracy 民主主义者
Democrat (abbr. D, Dem.) a member or supporter of the Democratic party of the US （美国）民主党党员，民主党人，民主党支持者
retort
to reply quickly to a comment, in an angry, offended or humorous way （生气或幽默地）反驳，回嘴
[动词 + 直接引语]
‘Don't be ridiculous! ’ Pat retorted angrily.
“别荒唐了！”帕特生气地回答道。
[动词 (+ that从句)]
Sam retorted that it was my fault as much as his.
萨姆反驳说我和他同样有错。
【名词】
a quick, angry or humorous reply （生气或幽默的）回应，反驳
She bit back (= stopped herself from making) a sharp retort.
她克制住了自己，没有尖刻地反驳。
a closed bottle with a long narrow bent spout that is used in a laboratory for heating chemicals 曲颈甑；曲颈瓶；蒸馏器
erode
[常用被动态] ~ (sth) (away)
to gradually destroy the surface of sth through the action of wind, rain, etc.; to be gradually destroyed in this way 侵蚀；腐蚀；风化
[动词 + 名词短语]
The cliff face has been steadily eroded by the sea.
峭壁表面逐渐被海水侵蚀。
[单独使用的动词]
The rocks have eroded away over time.
这些岩石随着时间的推移逐渐风化了。
to gradually destroy sth or make it weaker over a period of time; to be destroyed or made weaker in this way 逐渐毁坏；削弱；损害
[动词 + 名词短语]
Her confidence has been slowly eroded by repeated failures.
她的自信心因屡屡失败慢慢消磨掉了。
Mortgage payments have been eroded (= decreased in value) by inflation.
偿还的按揭贷款因通货膨胀而贬值。
[also 单独使用的动词]
[派生词]
erosion
|ɪˈrəʊʒn; 美 ɪˈroʊʒn|
noun
[不可数名词]the erosion of the coastline by the sea
海水对海岸线的侵蚀
fiscal
connected with government or public money, especially taxes 财政的；国库的；国家岁入的
fiscal policies/reforms
财政政策 / 改革
shortfall
~ (in sth) if there is a shortfall in sth, there is less of it than you need or expect 缺口；差额；亏空
Democracy requires deliberation, and deliberation requires honesty. After this bill, a great fear of theFounding Fathers—a politics of warring factions and interests, scrapping over the public purse—looks closer than ever.