"A sign of waste, across the board"

Where have our spending priorities gone? On Feb 28, The Spectrum reported that the Student Association is considering spending $30,000 to $40,000 on repairing the sign in front of the Union. During a time of rising tuition and after the controversy surrounding the student activity fee, a proposal to spend thousands of student dollars on a sign makes it appear that SA cannot find appropriate or compelling uses for its funds. While a digital sign would be nice, the price is too extreme, especially considering that the sign will be exposed to cold and snowy weather half of the year, which may be how the first one broke originally.

Similar spending absurdities occur on the metropolitan level, as demonstrated by the city's agreement to spend millions of public dollars to bring in Bass Pro. Bass Pro will bring visitors into the city for only two weeks. After its novelty passes, its narrow supply of specialty products will only attract the occasional shopper. The only jobs provided will be low-wage positions that pay just half of a living wage. If the city and county want to borrow and spend money, they should invest in crumbling city schools and deteriorating social services, which will do far more for the public good than another big box store.

Finally, federal spending is out of control, as demonstrated by the burgeoning budget deficit. President Bush's lack of spending sense was illustrated by his original willingness to provide only $15 million for tsunami victims while spending $40 million on his own inauguration. While billions are spent on the unjustified and unexplained invasion of Iraq, Americans experience underrated schools and a declining Social Security fund. Around the world, expanding poverty and warfare cause millions to hate the United States for the wealth it represents. If President Bush spent our money on building, instead of destroying, both here and abroad, those who suffer here or elsewhere will benefit. While it is crucial to use our military might to fight terror, public dollars spent on building tactical nukes and corporate welfare are better spent feeding and housing American citizens and disadvantaged people around the world.