The United States is number one. We have more cases and more deaths from the coronavirus than any other country. Brazil is number two, but the United States has 135 percent more cases and 119 percent more deaths. Of the 20 countries with the most cases, the death rate per 100,000 population in the United States is third highest. We cannot travel to Canada or Europe. Are you tired of winning yet?

Last week, a county employee stood up for the staff of establishments in the county trying to enforce the requirement to wear a mask when people ignore that requirement. This is happening all over the United States. Trump says he will not impose a national requirement to wear masks because he wants people to have a certain freedom. But one must ask, freedom for who?

Our Constitution enshrines critical freedoms for all Americans. The first amendment says that Congress cannot pass laws prohibiting the free exercise of religion, abridge the freedom of speech or of the press. Freedom defines what America is. But these freedoms are not absolute. You cannot yell fire in a crowded movie theater, or use words to incite violence against others, or print things in the paper that libel others.

The Constitution declares, We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. A well-functioning government is responsible for our common defense and our general welfare.

We are under attack by this virus. It has killed almost three times more Americans than died during the Vietnam War. Government must provide for our common defense. Similarly, everyone should be free to safely vote in elections, work to support our families, have safe working conditions, a good public education, and public health and a long life. The government must promote our general welfare. Trumps government is failing. Big time.

Wendell Berry, the rural philosopher, says there are two kinds of freedom: the freedom of the community and the freedom of the individual. The community confers on its members freedoms implicit in familiarity, mutual respect, mutual affection, and mutual help; it gives freedom its proper aims; and prescribes or shows the responsibilities without which no one can be legitimately free

He continues, Freedom defined strictly as individual freedom tends to see itself as an escape from the constraints of community life. The unconstrained pursuit of individual freedom operates invariably to the detriment of community life and community values.

Thus, freedom has two aspects: freedom to pursue your individual interests to be all you can be, and freedom from things that can keep you from moving forward. Be a patriot. Step up to your responsibility as a citizen. Wear a mask so your neighbors can work to support their families and live a safe and healthy life.

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Letter to the editor Two kinds of freedom - WV News