Shawn Askinosie gives us his thoughts today on why Fair Trade is good, but just not good enough. Aksinosie Chocolate is not Fair Trade certified, but Shawn explains their own socially responsible program that he hopes other businesses will imitate.
The Relevant Elephant: What should a consumer know about typical Fair Trade products? What are the benefits? What are the drawbacks? How could it be improved, or is there a better system all together?
This is the third entry in a series with Shawn Askinosie, owner of Askinosie Chocolate. Today, Shawn shares his political philosophy, tells about why James Dobson should stay out of politics, and offers a solution to make the Republican Party more relevant.
The Relevant Elephant: With your unique blend of experience as both an attorney and a small business owner, what is your political philosophy? How has it developed over the years?
Shawn Askinosie: My political philosophy, when I was in my twenties and younger, I was about as conservative as you can get. When I was sixteen years old I circulated a right-to-work petition so that Missouri didn’t have to be a union state, so we wouldn’t be a closed shop. When I was a freshman at Baylor University I delivered the nomination speech for Ronald Reagan at a mock convention that we held.
The Relevant Elephant: Why did you start Askinosie Chocolate?
Shawn Askinosie: Well, I was a criminal defense lawyer for about twenty years, and I really was just beginning to feel a sense that I needed to do something else, and that it was time for me to move on and to try new things and to develop a new passion for something else… 20 years is a long time to do something. So for about five years, I prayed that God would give me another passion, and I was about ready to give up on that when, in May of 2005, it came to me to make chocolate from scratch.
“If you guys had compared me to Willy Wonka, I was gonna have to hit you.”
– Shawn Askinosie, after his interview with The Relevant Elephant
Earlier this week, The Relevant Elephant had a chance to sit down with Shawn Askinosie, owner of Askinosie Chocolate. More than once, his business dealings and work with children have earned him comparisons with the infamous Willy Wonka… something he’s obviously excited about.
When US Congressman Kenny Hulshof declared he was entering Missouri’s Governor race, a seat was left open in Missouri’s Ninth District. Five Republican candidates are battling to fill his seat.
Today, The Relevant Elephant talks
to one of those candidates – former University of Missouri football star Brock Olivo. The 32-year old professional athlete-turned-politician talks to us about gas prices, Washington’s out-of-control spending, and why the Republican Party needs more candidates like himself.
The Relevant Elephant: What does it mean to be a conservative?
Brock Olivo: To me, being a conservative means you are frugal with both money and government's role in our everyday lives. It means that you base your decisions on whether or not the taxpayers can afford it. It means you respect the taxpayers' hard earned money and it also means that you approach issues with common sense solutions and don't read more into the law than is there.
The Relevant Elephant recently interviewed Chris 
Sander, candidate for US Congress from Missouri's Third District. Here are his thoughts on conservatism, Missouri's
Third District, and his qualifications.
The Relevant Elephant: What does it mean to be a conservative?
Chris Sander: To be a conservative, it means that you hold to core principals and beliefs that are the basis of our constitution. Such things as:
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt announced earlier this year that he will not seek a second term in office. Hoping to take his place are Republican candidates Kenny Hulshof (US Congressman) and Sarah Steelman (State Treasurer).
The Relevant Elephant interviewed Congressman Hulshof on June 6. Today we’ll hear State Treasurer Sarah Steelman’s thoughts on conservatism, Missouri, and young voters.
The Relevant Elephant: What does it mean to be a conservative?
Sarah Steelman: It means to believe very strongly in the values that have made this country the greatest in the world - faith, family and freedom. These are the traditional Missouri values passed on from generation to generation. David and I have raised our sons on these values and as public servant I keep them in mind every day.
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt announced earlier this year that he will not seek a second term in office. Hoping to take his place are Republican candidates Kenny Hulshof (US Congressman) and Sarah Steelman (State Treasurer).
The Relevant Elephant recently interviewed Congressman Kenny Hulshof. Here are his thoughts on Missouri, conservatism, and young voters:
The Relevant Elephant: What does it mean to be a conservative?
Kenny Hulshof: A conservative is someone who believes in limited government, as well as the core values upon which our nation was founded.