Have you ever seen a congressman snacking on a measly tin of sardines? Or maybe a governor ordering a McChicken off the dollar menu? In Washington that scene was reality for three Democratic politicians who are taking the Live the Wage challenge.
你看過一名國會議員吃一小罐沙丁魚罐頭當便餐嗎？或是一名州長從一美元輕鬆點菜單裡點份麥香雞？在華盛頓，這場景對三位接受「生活工資挑戰」的民主黨政治人物而言是真實事件。
They are each living on a budget of $77 for the week–the same amount that a minimum wage worker typically has to spend on food, transportation and day-to-day expenses–after factoring out major costs such as rent and utilities.
他們個別靠77美元預算過一週生活——和最低薪工人一般須花費在食物、交通及日常開銷的金額相同——在扣除例如租金及水電瓦斯費等主要花費後。
Rep. Jan Schakowsky began the challenge–telling ABC News, “It totally changes your perspective. Even the shopping experience. I truthfully rarely think about how much it costs.”
眾議員珍．薛考斯基開始了這項挑戰，並告訴《美國廣播公司新聞》：「它完全改變你的看法。即使是購物經驗。我真的很少想到它必須花多少錢。」
Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland explained that he was unable to complete the week-long challenge with a budget of just $77. Because fresh fruits and vegetables are hard to find at a price within a minimum wage budget, he even took a trip to McDonald’s to try out the fast food chain’s dollar menu.
俄亥俄州前州長泰德．史垂克蘭德解釋他無法僅用77美元的預算完成一週挑戰。因為在最低工資預算內，很難多花些錢找到新鮮的水果和蔬菜，他甚至去麥當勞轉了一圈，嘗試速食連鎖店的一美元輕鬆點。
Reps. Tim Ryan and Schakowsky were co-sponsors of the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013. Their goal is to increase the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10.
眾議員提姆．萊恩和薛考斯基是《2013年合理最低工資法案》的共同提案人。他們的目標是把聯邦最低工資由7.25美元增至10.10美元。
新聞辭典
politician：名詞，指從政者、政治家；亦有指射專搞黨派政治的人、政客等貶意。例句：Politicians are busy near election time. （政治人物們接近選舉之際很忙。）
snack：名詞，指小吃、點心等便餐；動詞，指吃快餐、吃點心。例句：He ate a snack.（他吃了一份快餐。）The boy often snacks on French fries.（這男孩常吃薯條當點心。）
utility： 形容詞，指有多種用途的、經濟實惠的、公用事業的；名詞，指有用之物、公用事業公司。例句：He gave me a utility knife.（他給了我一把多用途小刀。）Please remember to pay the bills for utilities.（請記得付水電瓦斯費的帳單。）
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