Some people think that governments should spend as much money as possible on developing or buying computer technology. Other people disagree and think that this money should be spent on more basic needs. Which one of these opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
I realize that it's important to stay up to date with our technology. So much, like our space and defense programs, depends on it. I've also read that we shouldn't let other governments get ahead of ours in the race for better technology. This could eventually put us at a disadvantage and our whole economy could suffer. Despite all this, I think our government should spend our tax dollars on more basic items before it gets into the business of developing computer technology.
我意识到跟上我们的技术是很重要的。就像我们的太空和防御计划一样，这在很大程度上取决于它。我还读到，我们不应该让其他政府在争取更好的技术的竞争中领先于我们。这最终可能使我们处于不利地位，我们的整个经济可能会受到影响。尽管如此，我认为我们的政府应该在从事计算机技术开发之前，把我们的税收花在更基本的项目上。
We have so many problems in our society, and it seems every solution needs money. For instance, we talk about getting people off welfare. To do that we need money to give them jobs until they can support themselves. That means support training, day care for their children, and probably a monthly rent subsidy. All of those things can cost hundreds of millions of dollars. However, if we could solve a major problem like, wouldn't it improve our society even more than new technology?
我们的社会有很多问题，似乎每一个解决方案都需要钱。例如，我们谈论的是让人们远离福利。要做到这一点，我们需要钱给他们工作，直到他们能够养活自己。这意味着支持培训，为孩子提供日托，可能还有每月的房租补贴。所有这些东西都可能花费数亿美元。然而，如果我们能解决一个重大问题，比如说，它能比新技术更能改善我们的社会吗？
Another problem is that our transportation system is falling apart. Bridges have cracks in them. Highways buckle. Accidents happen because of these problems. We shouldn't put money into improving a computer chip when we have basic needs like these.
另一个问题是我们的交通系统正在崩溃。桥上有裂缝。公路弯弯曲曲。因为这些问题而发生事故。当我们有这样的基本需要时，我们不应该把钱投入到改进计算机芯片上。
Besides, Why should the government be in the business of developing technology? Aren't there several very successful corporations doing just that? Yes, it's probably less the expensive in the long run for the government to develop the technology. Nevertheless, in the short run, there are basic needs in our society that aren't being met. I think that's where the money should go.
此外，政府为什么要从事技术开发的工作？不是有几家非常成功的公司就这么做吗？是的，从长远来看，政府开发这项技术的成本可能较低。然而，从短期来看，我们的社会有一些基本需求没有得到满足。我认为那是钱该去的地方