名人教英文：读电邮 学英语（2）
上周美国举行中期选举，选出三分之一的参议院议席、所有众议院议席，以及多个州长及州议会席位。正如上次谈及，由于民主党选情告急，奥巴马在选举前26天广发电邮，呼吁支持者踊跃捐款和拉票。电邮下半部分提到他上任后困难重重，其改革计划遇上极大阻力，但会继续为理念而奋斗，并强调改变是自下而上的，勉励群众参与。
i know that sometimes it feels like we've come a long way from the hope and excitement of the inauguration, with its "hope" posters and historic crowds on the national mail.
come a long way是常见的惯用语，一般指取得了很大进步。不过按上文却有另一种含义，意谓奥巴马及其支持者在他胜出总统竞选后经历了许多困难，现在荆棘满途，和他就任时举国欢腾的情景相去甚远。不过，奥巴马强调他们并非为了赢得喝采，亦非恋栈权位：
i will never forget it. but it was never why we picked up this fight.
i didn't run for president because i wanted to do what would make me popular. and you didn't help elect me so i could read the polls and calculate how to keep myself in office.
他和支持者参与这场斗争，是为了一个简单而崇高的理念：
you and i are in this because we believe in a simple idea-that each and every one of us, working together, has the power to move this country forward. we believed that this was the moment to solve the challenges that the country had ignored for far too long.
that change happens only from the bottom up. that change happens only because of you.
you and i are in this的in解作「参与其中」。例如资方在劝阻劳方罢工时或会说：「we're in it together.」，即大家同坐一条船的意思。奥巴马指他和支持者都相信，只要每个人携手合作，自下而上，就能推动国家向前。因此他一再呼吁人们出钱出力。
so i need you to fight for it the next 26 days. i need your time. i need your commitment. and i need your help to get your friends and neighbours involved.
成功的民主制度，需要民众承担公民责任，积极理性地参与。
英语单词词汇学习：
commitment……投入、奉献
inauguration……就职典礼