As I said at start of my last article, an interview with the Green Party’s Candidate for Illinois Governor Griselda Romero, I first started thinking about the possibilities of third party candidates when Ross Perot ran for President in 1992. My boss at the time viewed Mr. Perot with such high esteem and the poor condition that our country was in at that time with such emotive concern, that he felt if Ross Perot wasn’t elected, our country would be in big trouble. Since then the Democratic Party has gone further to the right and the Republican Party has begun to embrace fascism.

So I started to look at the Green Party and many of my heroes are already supporters of them, especially Chris Hedges, whom I regard as my favorite journalist/author. The time I’ve spent talking with them and listening to their devotion and plans for the betterment of our country has left me impressed and wanting to join alongside them. I’ve decided to interview two of their shining lights, Griselda Romero, who is running for Governor in Illinois and Eyde Arndell who is running as Lieutenant Governor. I hope you will give them a listen with your minds and contemplate the possibilities of Green Party candidates’ contributions to our country.

Here is m interview with the Green Party’s Candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois Eyde Arndell. I hope you enjoy:

What was your upbringing like?

Being raised in a small midwest town by working-class parents, I can remember my dad coming home from the rubber factory with carbon black dust in every line and crease of his face, and work clothes that needed at least two washings to be wearable. He performed back-breaking work to provide for our family. He ingrained a sense of responsibility in me. My mom gave me a deep love of art and music, and the value of creating a budget. They taught me to think for myself, stand up for others, and challenge assumptions no matter where they came from. One thing was a constant: I knew I was loved.

Who are your heroes?

Can’t really say I have any actual heroes. There are people whom I respect and appreciate for their wisdom, talent, or bravery. We as humans aren’t perfect, but at times we rise up and do extraordinary things. Writers and artists have had the most profound impact on my way of seeing the world. So in this moment, I’ll name just a few who come to mind.

I admire George Orwell for his ability to demonstrate the cruelty and control mechanisms that the state uses to oppress the people. His novel 1984 clearly warns us about constant surveillance with the creation of Big Brother, the lies of propaganda with the Ministry of Truth, ultimate censorship by erasing dissent from the language and the use of systematic state violence against the public to ensure compliance. Concepts all too real in our lives today.

I am deeply touched by Margaret Atwood for the hope she manages to infuse into the bleakest of stories. Through the personal account of a handmaid she conveys patience, courage and the strength found in community. She insists that no matter the circumstance there are always ways to resist.

Then there’s Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, and Mary Shelley. They wrote compellingly about the human condition and ways in which the oppressed can stand up to adversity. Each storyteller explores our fallibility and our resilience in their own unique way. They offer us keys to understanding relationships with others and ourselves.

My favorite artists are Vincent Van Gogh, Edvard Munch, and Georgia O’Keefe. Their work has beauty and a remarkable emotional depth that reflects the skill and life experience used to create it.

How much harder is it for a Green Party candidate to get on the ballot?

The two “established” parties have used their power and money to create a different set of rules for third-party and independent candidates. In effect, this denies voters the right to choose, which is entirely undemocratic. Not making it onto the ballot renders a candidate all but invisible.

For example, the average number of signatures required to run for the US House in Illinois is 759 for team red, 920 for team blue, and 16,778 for all third parties. Plus, candidates like me have the added burden of collecting a substantial buffer of additional signatures in order to withstand establishment challenges. For state offices, the burden is even higher: a minimum of 25,000 signatures. Keeping the competition off the ballot continues the cycle of red and blue rule. They work together to keep the corrupt system humming right along.

What direction would you like to see our country / state go?

I’d like to see our state and country changing course in a way that serves the needs of the people. The basics of survival have been commodified and are increasingly denied to millions. We all need food, shelter, and healthcare to live. Food prices continue to rise, but wages do not. A living wage must be made a priority, because the working class is losing ground. Did you know there is an Illinois version of universal healthcare in committee right now? It won’t see the light of day unless we elect candidates who will fight for those principles.

What issue right now is most concerning to you?

Right now, the most concerning issue in our country and Illinois is masked, armed ICE agents terrorizing our communities completely disregarding the rule of law. What’s happening at Broadview is illegal and I’m not seeing our current administration stepping up to shut it down. I feel we are at a crucial moment. Will our nation rise up and defeat those trampling our rights and ignoring the basics of due process or will we continue the slide further into authoritarian rule.

What would you like to say to the people of Illinois?

Illinois deserves a team that will prioritize the needs of the people by providing leadership that ensures everyone has the tools to thrive, not just survive.