(Actually, I figured I’d give myself a break today. This is concert weekend, so I get enough exercise lugging the pews around and carrying chairs up stairs. )

Congratulations on the new addition to the family!

I recognize the realities of politics and I understand the desire to avoid “offending the homeopathy/reiki/chiropractic crowd”, but for me the issue is that the Greens ought to be a party that leads from (now clearly valid) scientific strengths, not hoodoo. I can’t shake the feeling that mentioning homeopathy in this context simply paints them as yet another fringe party trying to get votes however they can.

As to changing the policy, I am acting to change the policy. This blog posting and the comments it has received are evidence of that.

Here’s why. In three acts.

1. The key line (from my perspective) is from the policy document:

Provide funds to expand provincial health insurance to cover proven alternative therapies that are less expensive and invasive such as chiropractic, massage, acupuncture.

The word I put emphasis on is: proven. The folks who wrote the policy know that there’s quackery amongst the reasonable alternative therapies and are trying to leave it out without offending the homeopathy/reiki/chiropractic crowd.

2. I like the emphasis of the Green Party. Issues that I consider important are well covered: climate change, sustainable industry/economy, fair trade, and health promotion.

3. I like the philosophy of the Green Party. In my mind it boils down to “if you pee in the pool, you’re going to have to pay for it.” I can get behind that.

The Green Party has plenty of policies that I disagree with: marijuana legalization, limiting GMO research, and the occasional references to homeopathy. I dislike those positions, but I’m willing to let them slide because I think the policy is mostly right and the philosophy is bang on.

And, of course, if you don’t like the policy, you should change it. You’re welcome to join the party, attend the next policy convention (summer 2012, IIRC), and move to strike homeopathy from the platform. I will vocally support your motion.

Wow, that’s crazy that Greens support homeopathy. I completely agree. I cannot support a party that promotes such outright quackery. Our country doesn’t to lend credibility to those who espouse the imaginary healing powers of water and sugar pills. That being said, the Ontario government recently passed legislation to license homeopaths. I wrote a letter to my MPP to complain that they were licensing chalatans and was told that it was to support “healthcare choice”. Very disappointed by the lack of reason in our legislatures.