Ms Merkel and Mr Steinbrück may be right to give priority to deficit reduction: interest payments are the second-largest item of federal spending.

默克尔和施泰因布吕克将减少赤字放在首要位置也许是对的：利息支出是联邦支出的第二大项。

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Before the crisis the conventional wisdom had been that people would do whatever they could to stay in their houses, giving priority to mortgage payments over all other forms of debt.

危机前，传统智慧认为无论怎样人们都会竭尽所能保有自己的房子，按揭款的优先级将高于其他债务。

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Usually the creditors could not recover the full amount and they will be paid in proportion to the size of their debts, but certain debts have priority, such as wage arrears or severance payments.

债权人能未必能取回所有欠款，而只能按各自的债项比例取回部分欠款，但某些债项（ 如欠薪或遣散费） 将会获优先偿还。

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The U.S. Treasury will give priority to making interest payments to holders of government bonds if lawmakers fail to reach an agreement to raise the debt ceiling, according to an administration official.

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Drawing them into the mainstream of Jewish society through military or national service, and into work through the gradual withdrawal of welfare payments, should be a priority.

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To make absolutely sure, I intend to introduce legislation that would require the Treasury to make interest payments on our debt its first priority in the event that the debt ceiling is not raised.

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