Do We Have a Defective Gene in Our Nation's DNA?

     We’re proud of our American heritage of “don’t tread on me,” but has this attitude become a defective gene in our nation’s DNA today?     
     What I mean is this: Some nations quickly and easily adapted to wearing masks and social distancing because of their ingrained value of community. But not us. The knee-jerk reaction from some has been “nobody’s gonna tell me what to do. Don’t mess with my rights and my convenience.”
     The result? We have less than five percent of the world’s population, but we’ve suffered a quarter of the COVID-19 cases. Our rugged individualism - what we usually consider a strength - has rendered us selfish - sometimes stupid - as we endanger ourselves and others.     
     I’m grateful for our liberties. For the right to practice religion, but what a travesty if I abuse that liberty by gathering at the peril of others. For the right to protest, but what a travesty if I abuse it by destroying property. For the right to free speech, but what a travesty if I abuse it by belittling others.       
     Liberty is an upside-down concept: I’m not really free unless I’m willing to set aside my rights for the good of others. Otherwise, I’m in bondage to my freedom.     
​     Then I may as well sing the refrain from “Me and Bobby McGee”: “Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose.”     Am I willing to bridle my rights for the good of others?
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     Photo: 2019 winner of Texas Sand Sculpture Festival, text added.