The Republican presidential candidate landscape is becoming increasingly congested, with Vivek Ramaswamy, a tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist, stepping into the spotlight. He is primarily known for his two books arguing that "wokeism" is undermining America.

Until recently, I wasn't very familiar with Ramaswamy. When a friend suggested I look into him, I imagined he might be a more polished version of Chris Sununu—a tech-savvy moderate who could steer the GOP away from its Trump-era chaos. However, my expectations were not met. You can view Ramaswamy’s campaign launch video for yourself. Let’s analyze it.

> “We’re in the middle of a national identity crisis.”

This claim may hold some truth, but isn’t America perpetually grappling with its identity? It’s not my intention to be dismissive; one of the hallmarks of the American experience is the ongoing debate about what it means to be American.

> “Faith, patriotism, and hard work have disappeared, only to be replaced by new secular religions like COVIDISM, climateism, and gender ideology.”

While there has been a decline in organized religion over the past twenty years—Pew Research even forecasts that Christians may become a minority in the near future—many people still identify with some form of organized faith. Even those who don’t might possess a different kind of belief. Thus, it’s inaccurate to say that faith has entirely vanished.

Regarding patriotism, I remain skeptical. Measuring it can be tricky. One survey found a decrease in pride among Americans, yet nearly two-thirds claim to feel at least “very proud” to be American. We could certainly improve, but it’s evident that patriotism is not entirely absent.

As for hard work, Americans are among the hardest workers globally, often logging longer hours with minimal sick leave, family leave, or vacation time.

> “We hunger to be part of something bigger than ourselves, yet we cannot even answer the question of what it means to be an American.”

While I concur that many desire a connection to something larger, this does not necessarily hinge on defining what it means to be American. Traditionally, religion has fulfilled this need for many, though various sources can provide a sense of greater purpose.

The theologian Paul Tillich suggested that everyone, unless they subscribe to nihilism, will have an “ultimate concern”—a value that drives their existence. For some, this may be beauty or truth, while others might be drawn to more superficial pursuits like fame or wealth. Tillich warned against elevating the nation to such a status, labeling it a false idol.

> “Today the woke left preys on that vacuum.”

The term “prey” suggests malicious intent, which I think is misguided. It’s true that the decline of traditional faith and community—discussed by sociologist Robert Putnam in “Bowling Alone”—has created a void. However, it’s not just leftist ideologies filling this gap; right-wing media outlets have a significant reach as well.

Unlike Fox News personalities, who have been shown to promote falsehoods about election fraud while privately skeptical, I don’t see the same duplicity in left-leaning media. While one may disagree with their beliefs, it appears they genuinely uphold them rather than merely catering to a particular audience.

> “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.”

Here lies a significant misunderstanding. I don’t expect conservatives to embrace this viewpoint, but it warrants consideration to avoid misrepresenting one another’s positions.

The left aims for a society where race, gender, and sexual orientation do not dictate individual identity, opportunities, or thoughts. There may be extremists who think otherwise, but many on the left believe that understanding our differences is essential to overcoming them.

> “This is psychological slavery and that has created a new culture of fear in our country that has completely replaced our culture of free speech in America.”

Has it really been completely replaced? I can anticipate the thoughts of my conservative friends as I critique Ramaswamy’s assertions regarding faith and patriotism. They may feel I’m being overly meticulous, but I contend that language is significant. By choosing such terms, Ramaswamy appears to speak solely to a Trump-supporting base rather than reaching out to moderates.

A more balanced viewpoint would acknowledge that many Americans today express fear about voicing their opinions. However, it is crucial to recognize that this sentiment isn’t confined to conservatives; many liberals report feeling similarly constrained. The New York Times editorial board pointed out that both sides experience their own forms of cancel culture, with the right’s being particularly alarming due to state backing.

We should also consider whether Americans’ sentiments about free speech reflect cultural trends or lag behind them. Many on the right view these feelings as precursors to societal decline, while evidence suggests that our culture may be becoming more open to dialogue about contentious issues.

Jeffrey Sachs from the Niskanen Center notes that free speech on college campuses is improving, with fewer disinvitations and firings for unpopular views, and a decline in restrictive speech codes.

> “To me the American dream means you believe in merit and that you get ahead in this country not on the color of your skin but on the content of your character and your contributions.”

While most reasonable individuals agree on the importance of merit, it’s essential to recognize that systemic disparities exist across various sectors, including healthcare and employment. Ramaswamy’s views lack nuance; acknowledging racial discrimination while affirming meritocracy would take no more time to articulate and would be more accurate.

> “It means you believe the people who we elect to run the government are the ones who actually run the government, not a federal bureaucracy that grows like a National Cancer, that is now metastasizing to the private sector.”

While Ramaswamy is new to politics, this statement reflects a misunderstanding of governmental accountability. Federal and state agencies are indeed accountable to the public and are led by individuals appointed by elected officials.

The staff at organizations like the CDC are comprised of experts who specialize in their fields, ensuring that public health is managed effectively. Referring to these dedicated civil servants as a “National Cancer” is deeply offensive.

> “It means that the best ideas win, instead of getting censored.”

I wish this were the case, but it’s not always true. Ramaswamy opposes social media platforms’ fact-checking practices, yet without content moderation, these sites can devolve into platforms for harmful misinformation.

> “You might disagree with each other about corporate tax rates or about whether ivermectin treats COVID, but those are details.”

I don’t see these as trivial matters. Believing in ivermectin as a COVID treatment often correlates with other misinformation. The segregation of Americans into distinct media ecosystems has led to heightened political polarization, with outlets like Fox News and MSNBC competing within their own confines rather than across ideological lines.

> “Yet the goal of the ruling party in this country is to convince us that we are divided.”

> “Why? So they can accumulate more power for themselves.”

This viewpoint fails to recognize that divisive rhetoric is typically detrimental to a political party’s success. In a two-party system like ours, parties aim to appeal to the center to broaden their coalitions. While multi-party systems may allow for more radical positions, this doesn’t hold in America.

The Democrats face challenges with gerrymandering and voter turnout among younger populations, making it crucial for them to maintain a diverse coalition. Republicans, conversely, can secure majorities without winning the popular vote.

> “E Pluribus Unum, from many, one.”

Over the years, I’ve observed that the left tends to focus on “pluribus,” emphasizing the contributions of minorities, while the right highlights “unum,” driven by concerns about societal cohesion. Both views are valid; America has historically adapted to challenges, and our ongoing debates about identity are part of what makes our culture dynamic.

Vivek Ramaswamy misses this point. Instead of offering fresh perspectives, he echoes the culture war grievances that Trump and DeSantis have already articulated. One would expect that his business background would enable him to distinguish himself in a crowded field, but perhaps his most significant lesson was how to advance despite failures.