美国纪事专栏

总统手谕

文/胡曼荻

            年初，来美国的一个朋友首次观看美国总统交接仪式，大开眼界深有感触：权力移交如此欢快且庄严神圣，似乎全世界还没有类似景象，找不到同样实况，或许，这便是美国能成为世界老大的根基。                     

            奥运年，美国大选年，转年的一月二十日，新总统就职仪式，同一天，旧总统离开白宫。川普春风得意享受就职大典之际，奥巴马脑子里想的是刚刚留在白宫总统椭圆桌上亲笔手写给川普的信函，虽此信系传统，交接时前任都要传授点心得给现任，冠冕堂皇，却为他对川普的肺腑之言。这封信最近被美国媒体披露，公布于众。初见前总统手谕，和朋友一样有些大惊小怪，特录于此：

            亲爱的总统阁下:

            恭喜您神奇竞选之路。百万民众寄厚望于您，我们所有人，忽略党派之分，均期望您任职期间扩展美国繁荣，强化国土安全。

            此为独一无二的办公室，没有一个明确的成功蓝图，我不知任何来自我的建议是否会有特别帮助。不过，还是让我从过去八年提供些许反思。

            首先，我俩皆承蒙厚佑，以不同方式，均被幸福眷顾，不是任何人能如此幸运。一切取决于我们，竭尽全力做所能之事，为每个愿意刻苦耐劳的孩子和家庭，搭建更多成功阶梯。

            其次，美国领导力于此世界的确不可缺失。一切取决于我们，通过行动和榜样，来继续维持自冷战后稳定扩展的国际秩序，其亦为我们自身财富和安全依仗之基。

            其三，我俩只是临时占用此办公室。这赋予我们为那些民主制定和传统的监护者-----比如法治、权力分立、平等保护和公民自由-----我们前辈曾为之奋斗和浴血。忽略日常政治的牵制左右，一切取决于我们，来维护那些我们的民主制度至少和我们创建它们之际一般强大。

            最后，在繁忙事务和责任之余，为朋友和家人花点时间，他们将助您度过不可避免的艰难时段。

米歇尔和我衷心祝愿您和梅兰尼开启此伟大冒险，并知会我们随时待命，且竭力施以援手。

预祝好运一帆风顺！

奥巴马           

Dear Mr. President -

            Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure.

            This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don't know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful. Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years.

            First, we've both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky. It's up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that's willing to work hard.

            Second, American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It's up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend.

            Third, we are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions -- like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties -- that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it's up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.

            And finally, take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches.

            Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can.

            Good luck and Godspeed,

BO

2017-09-03@美国费城

--胡曼荻作者简介-

胡曼荻为美籍华裔作家，新浪博客: http://blog.sina.com.cn/huximei，新浪微博@胡曼荻，微信公众号：humandy-usa。胡曼荻书籍一：长篇小说《美漂》；二：中短篇小说集《归去来兮》；三：美国纪事《白宫有请》；四：美国纪事次部《白宫来邮》；五：美国纪事之三《人世间星空相连》；六：新加坡纪事《狮城梦萦》；七：情感文集《爱之智慧》；八：美文集《青春独有》；九：散文集《中国女孩》和十：新闻纪实《目击中国经济》。其首部剧本为微电影《文人相亲》。胡曼荻亦致力于中美交流，其和先生美国律师柯恩博士创办的美亚机构（网站：www.asia-usa.net 和 www.liuxueUSA.net），提供中美间旅游商务往来，以及美国留学移民服务，为中美间文化艺术传播搭起直通车。

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