The line-item veto more efficient

In the opinion-page article ``Congress - Be Wary of the Line-Item Veto,'' Dec. 1, the author demonstrated the danger of offering comments on subjects outside one's area of expertise - in his case, foreign affairs.

He set forth compelling arguments for the line-item veto, while presenting only vague arguments against it. For example, in rebutting the argument that many governors have the line-item veto, he offered the statement, ``A state is not the national government.''

He merely confirmed my opinion that the president should have the ability to veto portions of congressional legislation.

The line-item veto would not really give the president additional power but would greatly improve the efficiency of the relationship between the executive and legislative branches of government.

Congress should clean up its act and outlaw the practice of tacking on amendments to important legislation, many of which have little or no relevance to the bill in question.

Instead, offer them as stand-alone bills. Warren H. Vetter, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

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