I have never attended the Indy 500 to hear the roar of the engines.   But if you live in Burbank, you have an inkling what it might be like with the morons who abound with modified mufflers that make their cars backfire as if they are traveling 100 mph with fireballs trailing behind them.

I don’t know how concerned the Burbank police are about this nuisance that began less than a year ago, but I wish they would do something about it.

Surely, such modifications are illegal.  Of course, so is tinting the driver’s side of a car, not having a license plate mounted on the front of one’s car, or even not mounting a back license plate and driving around for 2 years with the temporary paper one to give the impression that one just bought a new car.

These anti-law individuals seem to increase in numbers as I get older.  Why can’t people just behave themselves for the good of others?

One main reason why this goes on is the same reason the mask controversy continues unresolved.   We have among us citizens who want the freedoms of America without the responsibilities.

If Joe Biden becomes the next president, I hope that he will bring back the concept of citizenship.

Schools used to teach civics classes as well as behaviors that exhibit the consideration of others, known succinctly as the Golden Rule:  do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

That stuff hasn’t been taught in decades.  Which wouldn’t be such a problem if parents did their job of teaching their own children these concepts.  Too many don’t.  The evidence is all around us. The decrease in people who describe themselves as religious also plays a role in the decline of selflessness.

Once in a while, I will see an example of how we all should behave.  During the months-long stay-at-home time, there is a family up the block from me with young children.  Daily the parents have their kids outside playing in their front yard.  I’ve never seen a cell phone or other electronic device in these kids’ hands.  The parents are interacting with them, flying kites, playing hide and go seek, often having a picnic.  And the parents as well as the children wear masks.  I wish I could give them an award.   The sad thing about this is, such behavior should not stand out, it should be the rule.

I want to believe that people I observe walking without masks, blowing through “stop” signs whether driving or riding bicycles, and shopping without social distancing are the minority.

But let’s face it—law-abiding, considerate people are in the minority.

The irony of this is that those who drive without stopping are counting on you to do it so that you don’t hit them.  That bicyclist going by in a blur at a 4-way stop is counting on up to four strangers in cars to make complete stops so his exercise is not paused.

Selfishness is rampant and I wish leaders in government would make it a priority to teach people through signs, public service announcements and social media how to behave as a normal, decent person.

“Gentlemen, quiet your engines!”