Vivek Ramaswamy, a prominent political newcomer and entrepreneur, is making waves in the political landscape. Born and raised in Ohio to parents who emigrated from India, Ramaswamy has a unique background that sets him apart from the typical cadre of Washington insiders. In a recent interview Ramaswamy laid out his beliefs, values, and aspirations for America, describing himself as a nationalist who staunchly believes in the revitalization of American civic pride.
“I will unapologetically embrace and advance the ideals that this nation was founded on.”
Vivek Ramaswamy
“I will unapologetically embrace and advance the ideals that this nation was founded on,” said Ramaswamy. Contrasting his ideals to an opposing movement that he believes wishes to moderate or apologize for these ideals, Ramaswamy emphasized his support for free speech, meritocracy, and the rule of law. His perspective is a refreshing reminder of what he sees as the fundamental principles that underpin the American experience – making him an America First candidate par excellence.
Ramaswamy’s dedication to the country goes beyond his love for its foundational values. He sees his bid for the presidency as a mission to revive a sense of national identity, which he believes has been eroded over time. The former executive is not seeking to advance his career; instead, he is focused on filling what he perceives to be a void in the country’s leadership.
“We have completely lost our sense of civic pride, civic identity, civic duty, what it means to be a citizen of this nation. We have lost all sense of that. And I think a lot of our economic struggles and our foreign policy struggles start from that loss of American identity, that loss of civic pride,” he lamented.
In his vision for a revived American identity, Ramaswamy notably rejects the notion that “diversity is our strength”. He criticizes what he sees as an overemphasis on race and sexual identity in modern society, preferring to focus on the shared ideals that unite us as a people. For Ramaswamy, it is not our diversity that gives America strength, but rather our shared values that bridge the gap of that diversity.
“I reject that vision. I don’t think our diversity is our strength. I think our strength is what unites us across that diversity,” he stated. Despite his firm stance, Ramaswamy does not ignore the realities of the country’s past. He openly acknowledges the existence of past racist policies, but believes going forward what the country needs instead is a re-orientation on excellence and meritocracy.
He also takes a clear position on abortion, describing himself as pro-life but against federal abortion restrictions, viewing it as an issue for individual states to decide. “Murder laws are governed by the states. So if abortion is a form of murder, which is the pro-life position, and I am pro-life, then it would make no sense for that to be the one law that was still governed at the federal level,” he explained.
On religion, despite being a practicing Hindu, Ramaswamy sees a common set of Judeo-Christian values in his beliefs. He believes that the values shared between the two religions can unite people, regardless of their religious affiliation, creating a stronger bond within society.
The candidate also doesn’t shy away from proposing bold changes. Ramaswamy is advocating for a constitutional amendment to raise the voting age to 25, but with the provision of earlier voting rights in exchange for service and civic engagement. He believes this approach would promote civic pride and duty in young Americans.
As for his alignment with the America First movement, Ramaswamy believes the concept goes beyond Trump himself. He views it as a platform for advancing the ideals the nation was founded upon. One such example is his staunch support for Bitcoin and other innovative ideas – Vivek continuous to impress with his outside the box thinking.
Whether he will support another Republican nominee, Ramaswamy remains non-committal, saying, “I have to think about it.” As he carves out his unique path in the political landscape, he is determined to expand the “America First” movement and to revive what he sees as lost American ideals and civic pride.
With his remarkable career trajectory, from Harvard undergraduate moonlighting as a rapper to pharmaceutical executive, to a potential presidential nominee, Ramaswamy embodies his own version of the American Dream. His dedication to the ideals of the country, coupled with his unapologetic stance on tough issues, have positioned him as a significant voice in the current political discourse. His narrative is one that challenges the status quo and inspires a reassessment of what it means to be American in the 21st century.
