Sorry Jon, but it is not as simple as you make it out to be.
It is more than just culture - it is education. You can throw in the death penalty and gun culture, which I agree are wrong, but smokescreens do not hide the facts in this case. Allowing free-roaming cats goes against everything we've learned. Please show me medical evidence that says it is alright to let cats roam free - and please find something from the 21st century.
It is hypocritical to say that you are for animal rights, saving ecosystems and perpetuating species, and then allow free-roaming cats.