老美認為愛國是要行動表現，不是靠喊口號；也不是用你高喊多麼愛國來衡量。
Unfortunately, there are some candidates who make promises they cannot, nor do they intend to keep.
不幸，有些候選人做出一些他們無法遵守、也不想遵守的諾言。
The two U.S. political parties, Democrat and Republican, always cooperate with each other for the national interest; their two candidates also join in unity at least publicly.
美國的兩個政黨民主黨和共和黨，常為國家利益彼此合作；他們兩黨的候選人，至少也能公開團結一致。
Many people feel it is better for America not to put pressure on other nations and to make my-way-or-the-highway demands.
許多人覺得美國最好不要對其他國家施加壓力，也不要做出「依我方式行事，否則就要倒霉」的要求。
Americans know that their political views are not everyone else's and that it is inappropriate to force one's views on others with arm-twisting.
老美知道他們的政治觀點不是每個人的觀點；如把自己觀點強加於人，也非妥當。
(else's 後面的views 被省去； arm-twisting 強迫、壓力 = too forcefully)
Some U.S. elected officials still practice "Do what I say and not what I do."
一些美國當選的官員仍然採用「照我所言，非我所行」的方式。
( = What he says is opposite to what he does. 即言行不一致)
American government officials are trying to avoid racial labels which tend to separate its people rather than bring them together.
美國政府官員盡量避免使用族群標記，以免造成分裂而非團結。
Many American politicians take pride in working the hardest and longest on constituent services. They just want to reach out and care about the American people.
許多美國政客以長期努力為選民服務感到自豪，他們就是要關心人民疾苦。
( constituent 選民 = people who vote for them)
It is very impressive to many Americans what Nathan Hale once said, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
使許多老美感動的是Hale先生所說：「我唯一的憾事是只有一條生命獻給祖國。」
( Nathan Hale是美國獨立戰爭的英雄)
Some politician's speeches are so touching that they can bring tears to people's eyes when they speak.
有些政客的演講是非常感動，令人落淚。
More importantly, U.S. legislators always try to pass the laws that benefit the entire country.
更重要的是，美國立法人員總是想法通過對整個國家有利的法律。
Many people believe that open-minded government enables its citizens' full participation in the process; the lack of transparency prevents people from participating fully in governance.
許多人相信開放式的政府能使人民充分參與其運作；缺乏透明度就會阻撓人民對國事的參與。
(governance統治方式，管理方法)
Good qualities for a political leader should include good judgment, sound temperament,
courage, experience and the ability to delegate responsibility.
一位政治領袖的優良素質應包括好的判斷力、性格、勇氣和經驗以及託付責任的能力。
Some American politicians are great legislators and less-than-perfect individuals. They are unflagging advocates for working class citizens and for people with disabilities; they try to improve access to health care and education for all Americans.
有些美國政客是超棒立法者，也是近乎完美人物。他們是工人階級和殘障人的守護者，他們努力改善為全美健保和教育體系。
(unflagging持久的；advocate辯護，提倡；working class工人階級； disability傷殘； access通道)
It is true that only well-off Americans can afford to run for a high position in public service.
確實，只有富裕老美才能競選高階層的公職。
According to a 1997 survey, it costed 10-million dollars to run for governor; 50-million(dollars) to run for senator and 550-million(dollars) to run for U.S. president. The figures now could be doubled.
根據1997年統計，選州長要花1000萬美元，選參議員要花5000萬美元，選美國總統要花5億5000萬美元。
現在的數字可能要加倍。
Judging from cost-effectiveness and the quality of candidates, many people feel elected officials are not necessarily better than hand-picked ones.
從成本效益和候選人的素質來看，許多人認為民選的官員未必比任命的官員高明。
(hand-picked=appointed)
American people are fortunate to have benefited from many officials' life-long selfless services to the country.
老美很幸運，能從許多一生無私為國服務的官員得到好處。
