［原 文］
　　雖然美國經濟在過去幾年中已實現了轉型，但某些問題自美國建國之初以來一直持續至今，依然懸而未決。其中之一便是圍繞著政府在一個基本上屬于市場性質的經濟中的恰當角色所展開的持久爭論。以自由企業為基礎的經濟體制，其普遍特征便是私有制和個人創新精神，政府介入應相對微弱。然而，人們發現，政府的干預時不時地也是必要的，以確保經濟機會人人均等，能為全部民眾所獲得，并防范肆無忌憚的權力濫用，平抑通貨膨脹，刺激經濟增長。

　　自殖民地時期以來，美國政府或多或少地參與到經濟決策中來。例如，聯邦政府曾在基礎設施方面進行過巨額投資，它也提供了私營業主們沒有能力或不愿意提供的社會福利項目。在過去數十年中，政府也以無數的方式支持并促進農業發展。

　　［參考譯文］　　
　　Although the American economy has transformed itself over the years, certain issues have persisted since the early days of the republic. One is the continuing debate over the proper role for government in what is basically a marketplace economy. An economy based on free enterprise is generally characterized by private ownership and initiative, with a relative absence of government involvement. However, government intervention has been found necessary from time to time to ensure that economic opportunities are fair and accessible to the people, to prevent flagrant abuses, to dampen inflation and to stimulate growth.

　　Ever since colonial times, the government has been involved, to some extent, in economic decision-making. The federal government, for example, has made huge investments in infrastructure, and it has provided social welfare programs that the private sector was unable or unwilling to provide. In a myriad of ways and over many decades, the government has supported and promoted the development of agriculture.