Politics are supposed to be about representing the voice of the people, but, as we see more and more often over the last two decades, the voice of the people is sacrificed in the interests of perpetuating special interests and promoting the agenda of the privileged elite. The playing field of politics in American is skewed. Usually the people who have the cultural and political capital, and, most importantly, the wealth to go into politics, are no champions of the common people, no friends of the disenfranchised. They have no commitment to the public they purport to represent. The mechanisms that run politics are nepotism, the old boys network, and overwhelming attention to special interests, rather than a commitment to serve the electorate, and help them achieve the American dream.
This is why it is important to elect someone who hasn’t been groomed for a political position since birth, someone who hasn’t been born into a life of privilege, someone who will represent the voice of the common man, rather than his golfing buddies from the country club. Such candidates are often called underdogs, but they are worth a second look. They are not professional politicians, and they enter politics driven by their integrity and a desire to uphold the original principles of the democratic political process.
Farouk Shami is such a candidate. Farouk is the embodiment of the old-school Texas self-made spirit, a man who started out with nothing, and achieved everything through hard work and determination. Now he brings the same hard-work ethic and a commitment to the American Dream to politics, as he is running for the Governor of Texas.
More that 44 years ago Farouk came to the United States to further his education, on a scholarship. While in school, he started working part-time as a hairdresser, and soon became a small business owner, opening his own salon. Innovative in his field, and committed to excellence, in 1986 he invented a novel, ammonia-free hair coloring and lighting system. That was his first innovation; many more were to come. As he grew as a business owner and a professional, he remained unwaveringly committed to environmental responsibility, promotion of education, and the highest ethical standards. All of these were the principles Farouk built his company on, and wants to bring to the political career he is pursuing.
Today Farouk is the Founder and Chairman of Farouk Systems, Inc. a multinational corporation responsible for giving the world the famous brands BioSilk and CHI. But unlike many CEOs of multinational corporations, Farouk isn’t looking for the way to maximize his profits through outsourcing and offshoring jobs, at the expense of American jobs, global labor standards, and environmental responsibility. Under his guidance, his company engages in corporate social responsibility both abroad and at home. In 2007, when other companies were moving their manufacturing out of the United States, Farouk took the risk, in order to live by his principles, and he shifted his manufacturing to Texas, to a new CHI USA plant built in Houston. Additionally, Farouk’s long-term business strategy is based on partnerships with factories all over Texas, because Farouk is committed to job creation. Others have said it is impossible to manufacture high quality products in the United States; Farouk proved these naysayers wrong. His business plan is sound and ethical, and Farouk enjoys success as a businessman, who provides jobs to Americans. This achievement was recognized when he received the Apollo Green Award for bringing jobs back to the United States. Now he wants to bring the same brilliance, innovation, and integrity to the office of the Governor of Texas.
Farouk is a humanitarian who generously donates to numerous charities and organizations all around the world out of a genuine desire to help, rather than a need for publicity. After September 11th, Farouk went to New York City to offer personal help to those who suffered from the tragedy. After Hurricane Katrina, shelters were set up in Houston thanks to his donations–shelters that housed our friends, our neighbors, our community members. He helps whenever there is a need, contributing to education, community building, and promotion of peace everywhere from Texas to California to his native Palestine.
Farouk became politically engaged as he saw Barack Obama elected President. The 2008 election filled Farouk with hope, and a desire to participate in building a new America, in which the people, not special interests, matter.