Why were people critical of the line item veto?

People were critical of the line item veto because it was seen as an overreach of executive power, potentially undermining the legislative branch's authority. Critics argued that it allowed the president to selectively eliminate specific spending items, which could lead to arbitrary decision-making and diminish the accountability of Congress. Additionally, there were concerns that it would disrupt the traditional balance of power between the legislature and the executive, potentially eroding democratic processes.