It’s been over two years and still, little has been done to fix the damage on the Gulf Coast. There has been little talk of prevention for future storms like Hurricane Katrina. As a resident of New Orleans, costal restoration and storm prevention is an important issue. It is hard to believe the lack of governmental help New Orleans and the rest of the areas affected by Katrina have been given. The hard work and dedication the people have put into rebuilding our city as we gut houses and work together to bring New Orleans back to what it was before August 29, 2005 shows how amazing our city can be. But what we need to fully accomplish this goal is help from the government.

Without the help we need, the people of New Orleans are beginning to become accustomed to the sights of waterlines and flooded houses. This should not be the norm, but until someone steps in to help, these sights could be permanent to New Orleans.

As an 18 year old citizen, this presidential election is important to me. It is my first time to be able to express my political views and hopes for our country as I get to vote for the first time. There are many different issues I find important in today’s world but due to my experience living in a city that has seemed to be forgotten, coastal restoration and natural disaster aid is an issue on the top of my list. It is scary to think that if another strong storm was to come into the gulf today, New Orleans would be in trouble, serious trouble. You would think that after the devastation caused by Katrina, something would have been done to better prepare for the next. But no, the levees are still not as strong as they should, and our coast is disappearing faster than ever.

It upsets me that a city as historically and presently special and unique as New Orleans is not getting the attention it needs. In order to ensure that New Orleans will not become part of the Gulf in a few years, we need a leader who will look at issues such as those in New Orleans. This is why I look for leadership abilities that favor coastal restoration and are eager in helping restore those places affected by natural disasters in the people that may soon be running my country.