Edit - I just read that Ramsey directs his people to load funds (charges 5.75% commission) having assumed he directs them to vanilla, low cost index funds. If that is the case, shame on him...

I haven't listened to him much, but for some people it can be as simple as mutual funds. To suggest otherwise paralyzes people from doing anything. Think of his target audience. In reality, I think that advice, in terms of direction, is right on target.

Is he pimping funds or other investments that he gets paid for? (if so, all bets are off)

While suggesting a 12% annual return is a bit (OK, a lot) optimistic, if it gets people motivated to get started, is it really bad if they do something, but only end up with 6-8% over the long term? People's personalities and how it impacts their money management is about as varied as, well, personalities...While Ramsey's approach isn't for me, I think he does a lot of good.

Oh, but I admit, some of Ramsey's disciples around here make me a little crazy...I think that aggravation leads some of us to throw it all out with the bath water, but IMO, there is a lot of good there for certain personalities.