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(单词翻译)
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
In these days of polarized politics, there was a small sign of a coalition1 this week. Voices that range - and it's quite a range - on the left, from the newly elected Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, a democratic socialist2, to labor3 unions and local Democratic Queens leaders, to The Wall Street Journal's conservative editorial page, and Tucker Carlson of Fox News, denounced the deal New York City and State struck with Amazon to locate one of their headquarters in the borough4 of Queens.
Amazon has a market capitalization of more than $800 billion. Its founder5, Jeff Bezos, is the richest man in the world - worth more than $130 billion. Yet, Amazon will unblushingly accept more than almost $3 billion in tax breaks and subsidies6 from New York State and New York City to open in Queens. Amazon will also receive subsidies to open a second-second headquarters in Arlington County, Va., but about half as costly7.
Representative-elect Ocasio-Cortez said the fact that a billionaire's company will receive more billions, quote, "when our subway is crumbling8 and our communities need more investment, not less, is extremely concerning to residents here." Queens State senator Jessica Ramos told a rally, it is unconscionable that we - in the middle of the housing crisis, in the middle of the public transportation crisis - have to dole9 out so many handouts10 to the richest company in the world.
On the other end of the spectrum11, The Wall Street Journal, which customarily sees virtue12 in wealth, points out that New York citizens will pay $48,000 per worker for each of the 25,000 jobs, paying $150,000 a year, which Amazon says their company will bring to Queens. The Journal observed, apparently13 bodega owners in Brooklyn are supposed to be happy about subsidizing a third of the salaries of hipster techies.
New York political leaders, including the governor and mayor, often say they have to offer subsidies and tax breaks to companies that would bring jobs because New York must compete against states like Florida or Texas that have no state income tax.
But rather than cut taxes for all, they will reward tax breaks to a selective few. As assembly member Ron Kim of Queens asked, now, in the progressive state of New York, we have a governor who gave away 3 billion to the richest man on the planet?
If only for a moment, Amazon seems to have brought different political voices together in outrage14.
(SOUNDBITE OF MARCUS D. (FEAT. SAIGON AND CHOKLATE)'S "LIVE BETTER")
1 coalition | |
n.结合体,同盟,结合,联合 | |
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2 socialist | |
n.社会主义者;adj.社会主义的 | |
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3 labor | |
n.劳动,努力,工作,劳工;分娩;vi.劳动,努力,苦干;vt.详细分析;麻烦 | |
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4 borough | |
n.享有自治权的市镇;(英)自治市镇 | |
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5 Founder | |
n.创始者,缔造者 | |
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6 subsidies | |
n.补贴,津贴,补助金( subsidy的名词复数 ) | |
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7 costly | |
adj.昂贵的,价值高的,豪华的 | |
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8 crumbling | |
adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
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9 dole | |
n.救济,(失业)救济金;vt.(out)发放,发给 | |
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10 handouts | |
救济品( handout的名词复数 ); 施舍物; 印刷品; 讲义 | |
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11 spectrum | |
n.谱,光谱,频谱;范围,幅度,系列 | |
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12 virtue | |
n.德行,美德;贞操;优点;功效,效力 | |
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13 apparently | |
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎 | |
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14 outrage | |
n.暴行,侮辱,愤怒;vt.凌辱,激怒 | |
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