For those of you with free roaming cats, do you also feel compion for their pain when something happens?

It always amuses me to hear comments like "Cats should be allowed freedom. People are." or "Danger is a part of life. What's life without a little risk? I'm giving them the choice by leaving the door open." Like animals have the slightest ability to make a rational decision that is in their own self interest. So, cruel to me is potentially watching your best friend develop diseases, injuries and even die in a completely preventable way. But if you do allow your cat to free roam, would you still feel bad and guilty if and when they do suffer bodily harm ?