There is an important axiom in life that goes something like this: “As selfish behavior increases, individual rights and freedoms diminish.” Allow me to explain.
    
I often hear people reminisce about the “good old days” when you didn’t have to lock your front door at night and you were never afraid of going for a walk in the park on a warm summer evening.
    
The sad reality is that when a few people become increasingly selfish in their disregard for the law and personal rights of others, the individual freedoms of the whole are lessened. In other words, as selfishness increases throughout a society of people, it eventually affects the freedoms and rights of everybody. Let’s examine a practical illustration of this principle.
    
I’m sure racers would prefer to participate in race events where no fuel checks or engine teardowns were imposed—where participants were trusted to be honest and to abide by the rules of the sport. Reality might suggest, however, that I have been sniffing too much nitro to think that such an occurrence could ever be possible. But the point still remains. There is an important axiom in life that goes something like this: “As selfish behavior increases, individual rights and freedoms diminish.” Allow me to explain.

    
I often hear people reminisce about the “good old days” when you didn’t have to lock your front door at night and you were never afraid of going for a walk in the park on a warm summer evening.
    
The sad reality is that when a few people become increasingly selfish in their disregard for the law and personal rights of others, the individual freedoms of the whole are lessened. In other words, as selfishness increases throughout a society of people, it eventually affects the freedoms and rights of everybody. Let’s examine a practical illustration of this principle.
    
I’m sure racers would prefer to participate in race events where no fuel checks or engine teardowns were imposed—where participants were trusted to be honest and to abide by the rules of the sport. Reality might suggest, however, that I have been sniffing too much nitro to think that such an occurrence could ever be possible. But the point still remains.
    
If you examine today’s cultural trends and declining values, you soon realize that we are approaching a situation in our country that is troubling. The increasingly selfish behavior of a few is leading to a diminishing of freedoms and individual rights for the majority. When thieves show disregard for the personal possessions and rights of others, the increased precautions and security demands will in fact create some loss of rights and freedom for those who are victims of the misconduct. At the very least, they will face an increase in social inconveniences.
    
I am reminded of an important principle that I learned long ago in seminary concerning national governments. In short, a nation usually receives the type of government it deserves. For example, true democracy functions most effectively only when there is minimal selfishness. The less selfish people are, the more trustworthy they become. And trustworthy people are ideal constituents for a nation of maximized freedoms. However, as freedoms and personal rights are abused, added restrictions and inconveniences become necessary to prevent total disorder. When selfishness remains unbridled, it ultimately degenerates into social chaos.

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Let’s carry this principle to its logical extreme. When a sufficient number of people become morally selfish to the point of abusing the rights of the greater populace, a more restrictive form of government becomes necessary in order to maintain control. A practical illustration of this principle can be seen in situations where “marshal law” is imposed when trying to stifle a riot. During such a time, the normal rights, privileges and freedoms of the general population are temporarily revoked until order can be restored. When all seditious behavior subsides, then—and only then—can normal activity be restored, along with the usual rights and privileges to which people are accustomed.
    
While I am quite certain that very few (if any) of you reading this column have ever been involved in such insurgent or riotous behavior, it is important to realize, nonetheless, that all misconduct finds it roots in small, initial expressions of selfishness—seemingly innocent in comparison to the extreme examples that we see portrayed by the news media each day.

    

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Truly unselfish behavior—far too uncommon in today’s society—not only needs to be taught as a part of any worthy value system but also needs to be modeled to those around us.
    
So my advice is for you to do something truly unselfish this week, and watch the response. Shock and disbelief will soon be replaced by admiration and appreciation—and you will have drawn attention to a very valuable lesson. You’ll be better for it, and those around you will be blest by your actions.
    
So imagine with me how much more wonderful our world would be if it were completely rid of selfish attitudes and self-serving behavior. I’ve met some very unselfish people in drag racing, and it is my sincere prayer that the world in general might one day portray the kind of behavior that so many of you exhibit. I’m proud of our sport and the people in it. I simply want to see it improve even more, and improvement must always be a reflection of the maturity and determination of the people within it.

 

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