These words by Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy pretty much sum up the tone of his visit to Webster City Tuesday afternoon at the Briggs Woods Conference Center. Addressing a crowd of approximately 70 area residents, he introduced himself and what he stands for.

Ramaswamy said he believes in speaking truth, even when it needs to be spoken to members of his own party.

He believes in pursuing an America-first policy, and if elected, he said he would achieve that by shutting down the “administrative deep state,” declaring independence from Communist China, unleashing the American economy, and achieving greater than 5% GDP — Gross Domestic Product — growth, and reviving American national identity.

When asked what inspired him to run for president, he said, “I used to be a CEO; I’ve been an entrepreneur who’s founded successful companies. But I couldn’t revive our national identity through that. I took on the bureaucracy of Big Pharma. I’ve taken on the bureaucracy of the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) cartel in the U.S. and abroad. But part of what’s missing is that we need a leader who revives who we are as Americans.”

Regarding his two sons and their generation he said, “I’m worried that they’re not going to have the same American dream that my wife, Apoorva, and I had to grow up in this country.”

Ramaswamy was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He said the cornerstone of his campaign is: “Revive our national identity in this country; answer who we are as Americans. This is what this is about.”

His domestic agenda calls for shutting down the “deep state of the administrative bureaucracy.”

“On the global stage, keep us out of WW III and declare independence from China,” he added.

He believes he is able to revive pride in the next generation through civic education and reform education in the United States.

“I am an America-first leader, but from the next generation, with fresh legs and the energy to get this done.”

Ramaswamy’s wife is a throat surgeon and assistant professor at Ohio State University. They live in Columbus, Ohio.