克林顿面临的困难和挑战

Clinton: Confronted with Difficulties and Challenges

今年以来,美国经济已进入持续的适度增长时期:上半年国内生产总值年增长率达3.51%;失业率8月份下降到6.1%,为10年来的最低点;通货膨胀率进一步受到遏制,比去年低2.7%;1994财政年度头8个月的财政赤字为1653亿美元。

Since this year, the US economy has entered a stage of sustained and moderate growth, and it is the best period since 1988. On the contrary, the supporting rate for Mr. Clinton has been continuously declining, which is now only 40%. Compared with the successive presidents in the last 40 years, Bill Clinton is enjoying the lowest prestige among the public in the corresponding period. At present, Mr. Clinton is confronted with a lot of difficulties and challenges. (1) the publie security has steadily deteriorated, with which people feel deeply worried and strongly unsatisfied; (2) people are still uneasy about the living conditions and economic future; (3) the medical and welfare reforms are difficult to be carried out, with the social reform proceeding ahead steadily; (4) bound to the two cases of White Water and Jones, much of Clinton's time and energy has been diversified, and a group of officials in the White House and the Administration became involved in them; (5) the situation of the approaching mid-term election turns to be unfavourable for the Democrats. It should be noted that, however, Clinton has concentrated himself on pursuing a series of reform programs since he came to power, which have made some progress, and furthermore, the economic situation at home is taking s change for the better. Therefore, it is entirely possible to have his position improved, if Clinton can draw some lessons, pursue proper policies and strive to persuade the Congress to pass the Bill of Medical Reform.