The U.S. Government At Work

The U .S. Government at Work. Written by Manuela Arecibo. Focus question. What departments help the president lead the United States? And what do they do?

运作中的美国政府 作者：马努埃拉·阿雷西博 焦点问题 哪些部门协助总统治理美国？ 它们的职责又是什么呢？

Introduction. When the United States first became a country, it was home to more than two million people. The men who founded the United States knew that running the country was too big a job for just one person. They came up with a way to let experts help the president run the country.

引言 美国刚建国的时候， 这片土地上生活着两百多万人口。 美国的开国元勋们知道治理国家是一项过于繁重的工作，仅靠一个人是做不完的。 他们想出了一个办法，让专业人士协助总统治理国家。

rules for a new nation. In 1788, American leaders approved the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution is a set of laws that tell how the country should be run. It breaks the government into three branches or parts. The legislative branch makes the laws. The judicial branch makes sure the laws are fair.

新国家的规则 1788年，美国领导人批准了《美利坚合众国宪法》 宪法是一套规定了国家运作方式的法律体系 它把政府划分为三个分支，也就是三个部门 立法部门负责制定法律 司法部门负责确保法律公平公正

The president has his or her own branch. It is called the executive branch. His or her job is to follow the laws and run the country. Leaders set up a plan so the president could choose helpers to make the job easier.

总统有属于自己的分支。 它叫做行政部门。 总统的职责是遵守法律、治理国家。 领袖们制定了一项方案，让总统可以挑选助手来减轻工作负担。

The Cabinet. This plan was approved in 1788. The president could choose four people to help him. These helpers would make up the cabinet. One would look after spending. One would deal with other countries. Another helper would make sure American states and American people followed the federal law. Still another would be in charge of the military.

内阁。 这项方案在1788年获得通过。 总统可以挑选四人协助自己工作。 这些助手组成了内阁。 一人负责财政支出。 一人负责处理对外事务。 另一名助手负责确保美国各州和美国民众遵守联邦法律。 还有一名负责人掌管军队。

George Washington was the first president. He chose four helpers he thought would do a good job. But two of those people did not get along. Washington knew that he had to choose more carefully. The cabinet had to work together and follow his directions.

乔治·华盛顿是美国第一任总统。 他挑选了四名自己认为能胜任工作的助手。 但其中有两个人相处得不太好。 华盛顿意识到他之后挑选人选时必须更加谨慎。 内阁成员必须通力合作，服从他的指示。