Vivek Ramaswamy tells ‘Pod Force One’ US may have been ‘in decline’ for past 50 years: ‘It doesn’t have to stay that way’

WASHINGTON — Vivek Ramaswamy, aspiring governor of Ohio, stated on the recent episode of The Post’s podcast “Pod Force One” that the US “may have been experiencing a decline over the past five years.”

Ramaswamy remarked, “We may have been in a phase of decline for the last half-decade and even longer in some respects, but there is potential for revitalization,” during an interview with The Post’s Miranda Devine.

“I’m confident we can emerge not only as a resilient nation but as one that is aspirational. However, we must confront our significant shortcomings,” he noted, highlighting the critical failures present in the education system.

At 40 years old, Ramaswamy has focused his presidential campaign narrative on the theme of national decline.

On December 26, 2024, he sparked controversy within MAGA circles by critiquing American culture on X, stating that “mediocrity has been exalted over achievement.”

“It’s imperative that we equip the next generation with the tools necessary to thrive in a modern economy,” the prospective governor stated. “But are we truly prioritizing this as a nation at the moment? The answer is unfortunately no.”

Should he be elected as the 71st governor of Ohio in 2027, Ramaswamy expressed enthusiasm in experimenting with methods to enhance the educational system in the state.

Although he supports school choice, Ramaswamy articulated his desire to improve the “performance standards of public education.”

“There are numerous practical reforms that we can implement in public schools to allow them to effectively compete with alternative options,” he suggested.

One proposed reform seeks to raise the bar for teachers, especially concerning math education.

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“Our teacher certification requirements are excessively costly,” Ramaswamy noted. “These requirements obstruct capable individuals. Simultaneously, these standards are insufficiently rigorous because, despite the licensing we do have, they don’t ensure competency in math for math educators.”

The native of Cincinnati also expressed his intention to address Ohio’s industrial decline, which he correlates partly to educational shortcomings.

<p“Several areas in Ohio were pioneers during the first industrial revolution,” he explained. “Ohio once led the way, but it has relinquished its edge to regions like Silicon Valley that have embraced innovation.”

“Our aim should be to rejuvenate it, positioning the Ohio River Valley as a leader in the coming decade, which involves not just reviving past industries but also welcoming future sectors.”

Currently, Ramaswamy is at the forefront of the Republican nomination race to become the governor of Ohio, as indicated by the RealClearPolitics polling average.