在整个20世纪中 — — 大萧条是个显著例外 — — 美国政治体系总是能够十分出色地预见很久以后才会发生的危机，而当危机发生时，美国至少已经为此打好了应对基础。
Over the past century – with the notable exception of the Great Depression – the US political system has been remarkably good at foreseeing crises long before they have happened, and at least setting the foundation for dealing with them when they have occurred.