The manger

So it happened again: nationality, the “right of the blood” (or perhaps just a demagogic manipulation of the economic crisis) prevailed on humanity!
The government of Lombardy, the Italian region in which I live, rejected a motion of some members of the regional council to abolish the veto on pediatric cures for the sons of illigal immigrants, leaving only the possibility of cures for urgent first aid treatments.
There would be so many things to say about this… We could discuss about the meaning of borders, the exasperation of the concept of nation, the incredible (in my vision) preponderance of the selfish power of a passport on the most basic feelings of common human bounds, the abuse of the spreading of fears related to the crisis, the disgusting classification of human beings into A series and B series people. And all this elements would apply to the whole problem of visa recognition.
But here we are in front of something even deeper, even more radical: we are speaking about babies and children! How can you apply your stupid political laws to babies and children? Even if you think the unthinkable, if you blame people escaping from wars, poverty, insecurity and unable to fulfill the tough and very complex requests to get a visa for coming here looking for a better life, even if you insanely want to consider them criminals, what are their babies and children guilty for?
It’s astonishing how perhaps the same people moved by some internet photos of dogs taking care of puppy cats or similar stuff could agree with a law going against the most basic feelings and instincts of any mammal (not to speak about the most basic roots of humanity) or, at least, could consider it reasonable and necessary! This happens when accidental items become more important than the substancial ones!
Is the power of fear so strong? Do they think to grant pediatric assistance to “illegal” babies and children would definitly destroy our economy and take them to starvation? Sadly yes, it is exactly what these people, continously complaining about the fact the illegal immigrants are “milking the Italian cow” (are they? Why? On which bases are you saying this?), think. And surprisingly we are talking about the same people thinking that if an artist, a sport champion, a politician or a tycoon evades taxes, well, he is just cunning or he is “defending himself from the rapacity of the state”: not being so digusting it could even seem a joke!
There is, anyway, besides all the horror I feel for the incredible abyss of selfishness some people can reach, a question which goes on turning in my mind, a question about the medical doctors.
As far as I know, at the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession, all of them sign a oath:
“I solemnly pledge to consecrate my life to the service of humanity;
I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude that is their due;
I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity;
The health of my patient will be my first consideration;
I will respect the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died;
I will maintain by all the means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions of the medical profession;
My colleagues will be my sisters and brothers;
I will not permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient;
I will maintain the utmost respect for human life;
I will not use my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat;
I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honour.”
What will a pediatrician do in front of the son of an illegal immigrant suffering for any desease (or simply needing a check) but not having the need for an immediate first aid treatment? Will he answer to the parents: “Well, I’m sorry, but you must go back to your homeland to have your son cured!?
Being a Christian (but as far as I know similar elements are present also in other traditions), I can’t help thinking about a passage of the Gospel: “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn“…