In a burst of political dynamism, Vivek Ramaswamy has ignited a fervent passion for his presidential candidacy.
The thirty-eight-year-old, born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Indian immigrant parents, is the founder of Roivant Sciences and has led his company to develop multiple FDA-approved drugs. As a self-made entrepreneur and accomplished author, Ramaswamy brings a unique perspective to the political stage. In a tumultuous post-pandemic America where healthcare and pharmaceuticals occupy the forefront of public concerns, having a leader well-versed in the complexities of these domains has become paramount.
Despite being fourth in the polls for the Republican primary, Ramaswamy stands out amongst the many politicians through his willingness to engage in open and forthright dialogue on contentious issues. In a country where the values of “faith, patriotism, and hard work” are lost, as Ramaswamy explains, he vows to ground voters in three key ideologies—the love of our country, the power of capitalism, and the decreased involvement of the federal government.
Ramaswamy often fearlessly expresses his views, even when they run counter to prevailing narratives. His book Woke, Inc., shines a spotlight on the escalating influence of corporate wokeism in American society, a topic that many politicians tend to avoid addressing. In this book, Ramaswamy argues, “Today, the woke left preys on that vacuum. They tell you that your race, your gender, and your sexual orientation govern who you are, what you can achieve, and what you’re allowed to think.” Instead, Ramaswamy hopes to rekindle national identity through an emphasis on the military and securing the southern border.
His unwavering commitment to free-market principles and limited government intervention separate him from the other candidates. While his plan to slash the federal government by 75% might be unrealistic, this promise underscores Ramaswamy’s commitment to decrease the size and influence of the cumbersome federal government that increases the insurmountable national debt, stunts economic growth and innovation, and restrains liberty. In an era where government expansion and overregulation often pose a threat to these principles, his steadfast dedication to a leaner, more efficient government promises a brighter future.
Vivek not only promises federal tax cuts but also a foreign policy that focuses less on an invasive “footprint in the Middle East and Ukraine” and more on safeguarding America’s fair trade. With a high focus on reviving the economy through faith in capitalism, Ramaswamy’s promise to reinvigorate the U.S. economy from the past recession and the failures of Bidenomics is an enticing one.
The only Republican candidate to have never held office, Ramaswamy naturally draws criticism for his lack of experience. However, experience is not necessarily beneficial. He highlights a string of policy failures that were supervised by the leaders of the past few decades, which includes the 2008 financial crisis and the Bush administration’s erroneous claims about Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction. These examples are proof that experience in governance doesn’t always equate to an advantage. Ramaswamy himself has said, “We’ve come of age in a generation where our government has consistently deceived us.”
Ramaswamy’s youth and vigor is the antithesis of the senile condition of the current president, Joe Biden, and other GOP candidates. Brought up in an age closer to our own, his technological proficiency and plans to unite the nation and improve the economy resonate with voters. I’d call it no surprise that Ramaswamy is the fastest-growing candidate since the onset of the Republican debate.
