Veto power used wisely

Last week, Duke Student Government President Jordan Giordano used his first veto of the year on a bill that would have funded a freshman tree-planting activity on East Campus.

I applaud Giordano for the veto; finally, we have an example of common sense and fiscal responsibility. In today's economic climate, many worthwhile programs will have to be shelved or rejected outright. As President Barack Obama frequently reminds us, everyone must make the tough choices that will get the nation back on track. Unfortunately, it seems most-including Obama and Congress-are unwilling to exercise the type of fiscal restraint we desperately need.

Though Giordano vetoed a relatively small amount of spending, his action is commendable, especially at an institution that funds luxuries such as Plaza misters and plasma TVs. We need more examples of this type of leadership, both at Duke and in Washington. At a time when tuition is soaring, salaries are frozen and the endowment is down, the last thing DSG should be spending its limited resources on is gardening.

The crisis we face today will not be solved with one sweeping piece of legislation. Rather, it will take the combination of tough choices by our leaders and personal responsibility from us all. Hopefully, Giordano helped begin that process here at Duke.

Cliff Satell

President, Duke Conservative Union

Trinity '11