又中又英 | Throw the bums out | 褚简宁

　　America's midterm Congressional elections are less than two months away on November 3. President Donald Trump's Republican Party now controls both houses of Congress. But the Democrats have a spring in their step, which means they are walking with confidence or feeling excited. Polls show Trump’s approval rating is only about 30 percent. Other polls show the Democrats are almost certain to win the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate. That's why they are walking with a spring in their step. But polls are not always accurate. Trump fears impeachment if the Democrats win control of Congress.

　　Democrats have said they will begin corruption investigations into Trump's top officials if they win control of the House of Representatives. Will American voters throw the bums out? The word "bum" has several meanings. One meaning is someone who has no home or job and lives by asking others for money. To "throw the bums out" is a slang expression that means using your vote to remove politicians who are corrupt, lazy, or ineffective. Democrats believe voters will throw the bums out by voting out Congressional Republicans.

　　Trump promised last week to give every American adult citizen US$5,000, which they must spend in the US, if Republicans retain control of both houses of Congress in November's elections. It is unclear what method Trump will use to give the money or how to ensure it is spent domestically. But the law states buying votes is illegal. The US has about 245 million adult citizens, which means Trump's handouts will cost US$1.2 trillion. Experts say the US cannot afford to give away so much money. Congress must also approve the plan.

＊＊＊＊＊＊

　　还有不足两个月，美国国会中期选举便会于11月3日举行。总统特朗普所属共和党现正掌控国会两院，但民主党党员 have a spring in their step，意即他们走路步伐轻快，朝气勃勃，充满自信。民调显示，特朗普的支持率仅约30%，另有民调则显示，民主党人差不多有望稳赢众议院，亦很可能同时拿下参议院。因此他们现在都心情愉快（a spring in their step）。不过，民调也不一定永远准确。特朗普担心，若民主党掌控了国会，自己便会遭到弹劾。

　　民主党人已表明，一旦他们掌控众议院，便会调查特朗普等高级官员的贪污事宜。美国选民会否 throw the bums out？Bum一字有几个意思，其中一个意思是无家无业、无所事事，仅靠乞讨维生的流浪汉。To "throw the bums out"是个俚语，意思是用选票把那些贪腐、懒惰或无能的政客赶出去。民主党人相信，选民会以选票踢走国会内的共和党人，将无能政客赶下台（throw the bums out）。

　　特朗普于上星期承诺，若共和党在11月选举中得以继续掌控国会两院，便会向每名美国成年公民派发5000美元，而这笔钱只能在美国境内使用。现在不确定特朗普会以哪种方式派钱，又如何确保款项限制在国内使用。然而，法律订明购买选票乃违法行为。美国有约2.45亿成年公民，意味着特朗普派钱要花上1.2兆美元。专家们说，美国根本负担不起相关款项。计划也必须经过国会批准。

[email protected]
Michael Chugani褚简宁
中译：七刻