If the barrier islands and remote areas on the North Carolina coast were low-income housing projects, does anyone think our politicians would continue to rebuild? Why is it that our state and federal tax dollars will once again be poured into these areas?

These areas have been decimated by Mother Nature for thousands of years. Our children's children's children will also witness the force of Mother Nature in these areas. Unless we change the way we think, their tax dollars will also be wasted on rebuilding areas doomed since the beginning of time.

Why is it that we all have to cater to the rich and their Shangri-Las at the coast? Isn't it time that we say enough is enough? If the rich and powerful want to have their million-dollar beach houses in a doomed area, then let them purchase helicopters to take them to the edens. I am tired of seeing my tax dollars go to rebuilding an infrastructure in an area made for fish and birds.

I hope all state employees who have lost their jobs for lack of funding walk to the state Capitol once they realize that precious tax dollars will go to making the rich happy - once again.

Wayne Muller, Selma