Vivek Ramaswamy

ATeam

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Retired Expediter
Vivek Ramaswamy is gaining attention among the dozen or so Republican Party presidential primary candidates. It seems appropriate to start a Ramaswamy thread.
 
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ATeam

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Retired Expediter
Campaign Funding Sources

From the 2nd Quarter, 2023 campaign finance reports coming now filed, we learned this about Ramaswamy's campaign funding:

"Another Republican candidate, the wealthy entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, reported $2.3 million in contributions last quarter, as well as $5 million in loans from himself. Mr. Ramaswamy has lent his campaign $15.25 million since he entered the race in February; he has said he will spend $100 million of his own money on his bid.

"He may need to if he keeps up the spending. He spent more than $8 million from April through June, including $1.5 million on media placement and hundreds of thousands of dollars on travel."
(Source)

At present, it seems Ramaswamy is essentially a self-funded candidate who is spending tens of millions of dollars of his own money to gain attention and raise a few million from others. An important question now is, will he attract enough donors to qualify for the Republican Party debates? That is, 40,000 individual donors, with at least 200 unique donors from each of 20 or more states.
 
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ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
Who is Vivek Ramaswamy?

I asked Google Bard (an artificial intelligence app) these questions. Bard's answers:

Who is Vivek Ramaswamy?

Vivek Ramaswamy is an American entrepreneur, author, and political candidate. He is the founder and former CEO of Roivant Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company. He is also the author of the books Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam and Nation of Victims: Identity Politics, the Death of Merit, and the Path Back to Excellence.

Ramaswamy was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Indian immigrant parents. He graduated from Harvard College with a degree in biology and then went on to Yale Law School. After law school, he worked as an investment partner at a hedge fund before founding Roivant Sciences in 2014.

Roivant Sciences is a drug development company that uses a "platform" approach to drug discovery. This means that Roivant uses its own in-house expertise and resources to develop drugs, rather than licensing them from other companies. Roivant has developed a number of successful drugs, including Vyondys 53, which is used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

In 2021, Ramaswamy stepped down as CEO of Roivant Sciences. He then co-founded Strive Asset Management, an investment firm that focuses on investing in companies that are not aligned with "woke" ideology.

Ramaswamy is a controversial figure. He has been criticized for his views on race, gender, and social justice. However, he is also a successful entrepreneur and author, and he has a growing following among conservatives.

In February 2023, Ramaswamy announced his candidacy for the Republican Party's nomination for president in the 2024 election. He is considered to be a long-shot candidate, but he has generated some buzz among conservative voters.

Summarize His Book, "Woke, Inc."

Sure. Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam is a book by Vivek Ramaswamy that argues that the ideology of wokeness has been co-opted by corporations for their own profit. Ramaswamy argues that corporations use wokeness to signal their virtue to consumers, while at the same time engaging in practices that are harmful to workers, customers, and society as a whole.

The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, Ramaswamy defines wokeness and traces its history. He argues that wokeness is a form of identity politics that is based on the idea that people are defined by their race, gender, and other group identities. He also argues that wokeness is a form of moral absolutism that sees the world in terms of good and evil, with no room for nuance or compromise.

In the second part of the book, Ramaswamy argues that corporations have embraced wokeness because it allows them to signal their virtue to consumers. He points to examples of corporations that have engaged in wokewashing, which is the practice of using wokeness to cover up their own harmful practices. He also argues that wokeness has led to a decline in free speech and open debate, as corporations are afraid to speak out against woke orthodoxy for fear of being labeled as racist or sexist.

In the third part of the book, Ramaswamy offers a vision for a future without wokeness. He argues that we need to return to a more meritocratic society where people are judged on their individual merits, rather than their group identities. He also argues that we need to protect free speech and open debate, so that we can have honest conversations about the issues that matter.

Summarize His Book, "Nation of Victims."

Sure. Nation of Victims: Identity Politics, the Death of Merit, and the Path Back to Excellence is a book by Vivek Ramaswamy that argues that identity politics has led to a decline in meritocracy and excellence in America. Ramaswamy argues that identity politics is based on the idea that people are defined by their race, gender, and other group identities, and that this leads to a focus on victimhood and grievance. He also argues that identity politics has led to a decline in free speech and open debate, as people are afraid to speak out against the prevailing orthodoxy for fear of being labeled as racist or sexist.

The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, Ramaswamy defines identity politics and traces its history. He argues that identity politics is a form of collectivism that sees the world in terms of groups, rather than individuals. He also argues that identity politics is a form of moral absolutism that sees the world in terms of good and evil, with no room for nuance or compromise.

In the second part of the book, Ramaswamy argues that identity politics has led to a decline in meritocracy and excellence in America. He points to examples of how identity politics has been used to suppress dissent, silence critics, and promote mediocrity. He also argues that identity politics has led to a decline in the quality of education, as schools are forced to focus on teaching students about their own group identities, rather than on teaching them the skills they need to succeed in life.

In the third part of the book, Ramaswamy offers a vision for a future without identity politics. He argues that we need to return to a more meritocratic society where people are judged on their individual merits, rather than their group identities. He also argues that we need to protect free speech and open debate, so that we can have honest conversations about the issues that matter.

Summarize His Book, "Death of Merit."

Sure. Death of Merit: Why We Need to Put Excellence Back on Top is a book by Vivek Ramaswamy that argues that the concept of merit is under attack in America. Ramaswamy argues that merit is based on the idea that people should be rewarded for their hard work and accomplishments, regardless of their race, gender, or other group identities. He also argues that merit is essential for a successful society, as it encourages people to strive for excellence and to contribute to the common good.

The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, Ramaswamy defines merit and traces its history. He argues that merit is a foundational principle of American society, and that it has been essential for the country's success. He also argues that merit is under attack from a number of different groups, including identity politics activists, corporate wokesters, and the academic left.

In the second part of the book, Ramaswamy argues that the death of merit would have a number of negative consequences for society. He argues that it would lead to a decline in excellence, as people would no longer be motivated to work hard or to achieve their full potential. He also argues that it would lead to a decline in social mobility, as people would be less likely to be able to move up the economic ladder based on their own merits.

In the third part of the book, Ramaswamy offers a vision for a future where merit is restored. He argues that we need to defend the concept of merit and to fight back against those who are trying to undermine it. He also argues that we need to create a society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed based on their own merits.

About His Books

If the Google Bard summaries are accurate, it seems Ramaswamy has written the same book three times under different titles and themes. Nevertheless, his books give the American public clear insight into his views.
 
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ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
Ramaswamy's Financial Worth

From Google Bard:

"According to Forbes, Vivek Ramaswamy's net worth is estimated to be at least $630 million. His wealth comes from his biotech and financial businesses. He is the founder and former CEO of Roivant Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company, and he is also the co-founder of Strive Asset Management, an investment firm that focuses on investing in companies that are not aligned with "woke" ideology.

"Ramaswamy's wealth has grown significantly in recent years. In 2020, his net worth was estimated to be around $240 million. His wealth has grown due to the success of his businesses, as well as his investments in the stock market."
 

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
Ramaswamy; Saint or Sinner?

From Google Bard:

"Roivant Sciences, the drug company founded by Vivek Ramaswamy, has been criticized for its pricing of certain drugs. For example, the company's drug Vyondys 53, which is used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy, has a list price of $565,000 per year. This is significantly higher than the price of other drugs that treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy."

As a former Wall Street hedge fund manager and as a biotech company owner, Ramaswamy is no saint. Notwithstanding a company's need to recover it's new-drug development costs, his company's drug pricing suggests he is as greedy and self-serving as other big-pharma companies.
 

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
Ramaswamy's Religion

From Google Bard:

"Vivek Ramaswamy is a Hindu. He was born to Indian Hindu immigrant parents in Cincinnati, Ohio. His family is Brahmin, belonging to Kerala's Iyer community. He speaks Tamil fluently and understands (but does not speak) Malayalam.

"Ramaswamy has talked about his faith in his campaign, saying that he believes that "God is real" and that "religion is a powerful force for good in the world." He has also said that he believes that there are many similarities between Hinduism and Christianity, and that he hopes to be able to bridge the gap between the two faiths."


That will be an impossible bridge for many Christian Evangelicals. To them, if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your personal lord and savior, you are not eligible to serve as president. Clearly, Ramaswamy is not Christian.
 

Pilgrim

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
That will be an impossible bridge for many Christian Evangelicals. To them, if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your personal lord and savior, you are not eligible to serve as president. Clearly, Ramaswamy is not Christian.
He may be Hindu, but he not a heathen. Opponents of JFK and Mitt Romney tried to bring up their religions as a negative factor and failed. So long as he's not a Muslim, his religion won't be a factor in the views of most American voters. With religious practices in mind, wonder how many American Christians meditate and go to yoga classes?

Since his biography has been introduced, here's more of his overall story and a link to another source. Clearly, it's an all-American success story.

"Growing up in Ohio, Ramaswamy went to a large public school till eighth grade, before moving to a private Jesuit school[3]. He often attended the local Hindu temple in Dayton with his family...
Ramaswamy graduated in 2003 from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati.[15][16] He was class valedictorian and had been a nationally ranked junior tennis player.

In 2007, Ramaswamy graduated from Harvard College with a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, in biology, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.[17] At Harvard, he gained a reputation as a brash and confident libertarian...


In 2013, he earned a J.D. from Yale Law School.[17] By that point, Ramaswamy had already amassed wealth from his involvement in the finance, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries; he said in 2023 that he had a net worth of around $15 million before graduating from law school..."

 
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ATeam

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Clearly, it's an all-American success story.
Agreed. Ramasawamy is a self-made millionaire. Coming up, it seems everything he did, he did well, and in many cases better than others. It's no surprise that a man of his talent and abilities favors merit as the basis for reward.

But what about more ordinary people who lack the talent and abilities Ramsawamy has? How do you apply merit to them?

Some very fine welders have been replaced on assembly lines by robots because the robots can weld faster, better and cheaper than humans. Are the robots therefore more meritorious than human welders? Is that why they get the work and the humans don't? Or if only humans can have merit, should the robots never be deployed because they cannot have merit?

In our community, the immigrant landscapers work at least as well as American citizens in the same trade. And they work cheaper too. As a customer who wants good service at the best price, and if merit is about work alone, not race, not nation of origin, should the immigrant not be hired?

And what about a hypothetical black couple who are both employed and fully qualified to buy a home, but cannot get a loan because redlining policies prevent that? They are of equal merit to a same-income white couple, but the loan is denied to blacks, not because of merit, but because of systemic racism. If merit alone is the answer, how do you deal with systemic racism?

When my wife and I entered expediting with ZERO trucking experience, the very first load we hauled was a FedEx Custom Critical White Glove load in a FedEx Custom Critical truck. That happened because we were given the White Glove flag in advance. That infuriated many White Glove drivers who had vastly more experience than us and who felt they worked hard to pay their dues before they got their White Glove flags. How does merit apply in this case?

We got immediately flagged because we, like Ramaswamy, fully applied ourselves to our endeavor of choice. Before we drove, we studied EO in depth and interviewed a dozen fleet owners. We learned that White Glove merit is about reliability and trust, not experience. Knowing the truth, because we took time to learn the truth, we also learned how to convince FedEx that we were worthy, and we thereby obtained an immediate flag.

Why did we get flagged so easily when others worked so hard? It's because, unlike those who thought experience was the standard, we quickly learned the real game and applied the lessons. The others could have done the same. They had the same opportunities. But they never troubled themselves to do what we did, so they were left bitching about how unfair they system is. In fact, the system was merit-based and we excelled in it; grossing way more than the average expedite driver grossed in our first month and most months after.

From what I have read about Ramaswamy, he has some very interesting and intriguing things to say about "woke," identity politics, virtue signaling, etc. And he does a great job stating his point of view in a way that is easily grasped. He is straightforward and clear. I like reading Ramaswamy and will read more.

That said, he also seems to be a greedy elitist who conveniently overlooks many of the realities of American life for people in all stations of life.
 
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ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
Question:

If you read Ramaswamy's story on Wikipedia, you'll see the story of a man who got into the best schools and jobs did very well in all of them. He is an accomplished writer and tennis player too.

Why is it that you, your kids or people you know did not follow a similar path? Why are you or those you care about not as capable or successful as Ramaswamy?

It's all about merit, right? But if it is not all about merit, what is it about?
 

Pilgrim

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
That said, he also seems to be a greedy elitist who conveniently overlooks many of the realities of American life for people in all stations of life.
The same could be said for 99.9% of all the politicians in DC and those at the state and most local levels. I'm sure anyone who reads this post can imstantly pick a Senator, Congressman or governor. That said, let's not confuse greed with ambition.
 
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ATeam

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Troubling Aspects

This is from the Wikipedia article about Ramaswamy:

"Ramaswamy supports expanding presidential power, pledging to rule by executive fiat[18] to a degree unprecedented among modern U.S. presidents.[60] He supports abolishing the Department of Education, FBI, and IRS.[61] He asserts that the president has the unilateral power to abolish these agencies by executive order,[62] although under the Constitution, Congress has the power of the purse.[18] He has pledged to fire "at least half the federal workforce"[60] and dismantle federal civil service protections, turning federal jobs into at-will jobs.[63] He has called for an eight-year term for all government employees and pledged to revoke the executive order issued by President Kennedy that gave federal employees a right to collectively bargain.[63] He also has proposed repealing the federal law that requires presidents to spend all the money Congress appropriates.[18]"

Ramaswamy does not want to be President. He wants to be Dictator.
 
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ATeam

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The same could be said for 99.9% of all the politicians in DC and those at the state and most local levels. I'm sure anyone who reads this post can imstantly pick a Senator, Congressman or governor. That said, let's not confuse greed with ambition.
My greed comments are based on his practices as a drug company owner. His pricing is akin to extortion. Common in big pharma.
 
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Pilgrim

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Retired Expediter
Question:

If you read Ramaswamy's story on Wikipedia, you'll see the story of a man who got into the best schools and jobs did very well in all of them. He is an accomplished writer and tennis player too.

Why is it that you, your kids or people you know did not follow a similar path? Why are you or those you care about not as capable or successful as Ramaswamy?

It's all about merit, right? But if it is not all about merit, what is it about?
It's about the fact that all men are not created equal. Not physically, nor mentally, nor the environment in which they were born. The best they can hope for is equal opportunity, and even that is impossible.
 

Pilgrim

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Troubling Aspects
Ramaswamy does not want to be President. He wants to be Dictator.
It sounds to me like he wants to run the business of government like a CEO. He will of course be constrained by the Constitution and the checks and balances of Congress and the Judicial branch, but I see nothing wrong with wanting to cut the fat and waste out of a bloated government and it's unelected bureaucracy.
 

Pilgrim

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Troubling Aspects

This is from the Wikipedia article about Ramaswamy:

"Ramaswamy supports expanding presidential power, pledging to rule by executive fiat[18]
Source: an op-ed piece in the NY Times
to a degree unprecedented among modern U.S. presidents.[60]
Source: an op-ed piece in Axios
He supports abolishing the Department of Education, FBI, and IRS.[61] He asserts that the president has the unilateral power to abolish these agencies by executive order,[62]
Source: NPR interview analysis

It appears that Vivek is becoming a factor among the GOP candidates; the attacks from liberal media have started.
 

Pilgrim

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Getting back to the religion thing for a moment, there may be many like myself who are not familiar with the Hindu religion even though it's followed by the most populous country on the planet and a critical US ally. This link offers a good summary and comparison to Christianity. On a side note, I can't think of a single terrorist attack committed in the name of Atman by a radical Hindu group.

 

Pilgrim

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
This video of Vivek has gone viral on social media and now mainstream media as well. This guy is for real, and should get a real boost after the debate next week. Most American voters still don't know who he is.

"In what seems to be a rare show of civility and dialogue, this exchange has gone viral as an example of how to express one's political opinions with the other side without compromising what you believe, and without descending into vitrol."

 
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ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
Perfectly in line with the Democrat template. Vivek starts rising in the polls, so the lawsuits and personal attacks begin.
Do you think he should get a free pass? He is a candidate for president. The more viable he becomes, the more intense the scrutiny will be from all quarters, including Republican opposition research, Republican whisper campaigns, and Republican-generated misinformaion.
 
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