The only reason why Green Party candidates across Canada have yet to break through is because of the whacko-fringe aspect of the party. All too often the fringe aspect of the party takes over.

Such is the case in Manitoba. Green Party of Manitoba leader Andrew Basham takes the party to the fringe with his economic policies. Hell, the party theme is "Rethinking Progress: Well-being NOT growth". In this article Basham delivers a few killer-quotes like, "I don't look at it as running against Gary Doer, I look at it as running against the paradigm of growth economics." And why would an aspiring politician want to knock economic growth? "Economic growth actually costs a lot of jobs, it doesn't create them as we like to think," Basham said.

If the economic platform isn't confusing enough, try the parties "six pillars" on for size:

• Ecological literacy
• Rebuilding democracy
• Creating ecological communities
• Protecting the commons
• Bringing the economy home
• Establishing a sustainable energy future

But we wish Andrew Basham the best of luck in the next election, if for no reason other than he's taking on none other than Gary Doer in Concordia. With Basham and Ken Wadwell challenging Gary Doer, they may just steal enough votes to take down Doer. But God save us all if the Green party were ever to get into power.

Labels: Gary Doer, Green Party, Manitoba, politics