Medical Patriotism

By Pippa Abston MD, PhD, FAAP

Every year around the Fourth of July, amid the flag waving and fireworks, I come across an article or two blaming patriotism for the ills of civilization. I agree with much of the criticism. A constant obsession with being “the best in the world” makes us both arrogant and unrealistic. Believing we can be truly healthy—economically, environmentally, or otherwise—without considering the roles and needs of other nations is not only immature but dangerous.

As I often do when confronted with a loaded word, I looked up “patriot” in my old Merriam Webster dictionary. I was struck right away by the short, simple definition: “love for or devotion to one’s country.” I’m sure you know it came originally from the Latin for father, pater. Interesting, since the earth parent is usually a maternal one. The paternal face of country has more to do with the political structure, historically a masculine creation, than the land itself.

What if we imagined our country, in both earthy and political nature, as a parent? I don’t mean to invoke the over-protective helicopter version. I’m talking about our formation as persons—the various influences that eventually make us who we will be. And how about our reciprocal duty to our parents, as they age and sometimes need us to care for them? Could we consider how we are serving in that role to our nation, now well over 200 years old?

I’ve worried sometimes, while advocating strenuously for Medicare for All (including visitors and immigrants), that I’m taking a sort of parochial view. It seems a little selfish to spend so much effort lobbying for my fellow country-people, when much of the world fares far worse in life expectancy. I wonder if I should be doing something more globally relevant instead.

But all this thinking about land and politics, fathers and mothers, and caring for one another took me in an unexpected direction. We aren’t patriotic enough. If we were more patriotic (loving, devoted), and followed the principle of loving other (countries) as ourselves, maybe we’d do better. There’s no need to hold back our love for this land, its history or its people. We don’t have to be blind about it either. In fact, we owe a special duty to address the errors of those we love. I have a deep love for my state, Alabama, despite its sometimes recalcitrant and difficult ways. It’s ok to love a city, a certain neighborhood, a particular tree. We can all start where we are, then extend ourselves outwards, as in the spiritual practice of lovingkindness meditation.

Let’s love our country more. Tell Congress we want to pay for our nation’s healthcare and not be forced to give protection money to private insurers. With the savings, we will be in better condition to bring resources to those other (also beloved) lands in need. We don’t have to limit the borders of our patriotism. Everybody in. Nobody out.

http://pippaabston.wordpress.com/2011/07/06/medical-patriotism/