Larry Kudlow: Ronald Reagan and Bill Buckley would be appalled at this socialist assault on freedom – Fox Business
FOX Business host Larry Kudlow reflects on the the consequences of the progressive agenda on 'Kudlow.'
We are here this evening at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, which itself is a great big treat for me because he was my former boss 40-something odd years ago. I've spoken here a few times in the past, but never in the Air Force One Pavilion, which is totally cool, and you should all come out and visit.
Later this evening, I am being honored at a National Review gala dinner to receive the William F. Buckley Prize for Leadership in Political Thought. For me, this is a monumental honor. My gratitude for this prize is unlimited. I knew Bill Buckley very, very well. I worked at National Review for a time and he had an enormous influence on my life and my thinking. Imagine learning conservative political thought and action from Ronald Reagan and Bill Buckley, and then later on, Donald Trump. It has been a great gift in my time.
The show this evening we will continue our conversation about the totalitarian evils of socialism and the single, urgent importance of stopping America's socialist drift and restoring freedom, free-market capitalism, free enterprise, to regain the American soul and ideal of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: You and I have lived too long with this miracle to properly be appreciative. Freedom is a fragile thing and it's never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people and those in world history who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again.
FED OFFICIALS WARN OF ADDITIONAL INTEREST RATE HIKES TO FIGHT INFLATION
A portrait of Ronald Reagan hangs in the reception hall at the Ronald Reagan Library. (Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images) (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Of course, the Gipper was right. Freedom is a fragile thing and it's never more than one generation away from extinction. In the last two years under President Joe Biden, America has taken a sharp turn to the left. Massive inflationary federal spending to expand the size of government, accommodated by huge money-printing, big tax increases and an unbelievable increase in regulations which have become the left's biggest weapon for central planning and state control of the economy that includes the war against fossil fuels, which has decimated the greatest energy system in the world.
Along the way, the progressive agenda has undermined the dignity and incentives to work. A major expansion of the entitlement state is sending enormous government assistance without any workfare or work requirements, sofolks stayed on the dole, and the workforce in the economy has been demoralized and, of course, destroying American sovereignty with open borders, the flow of well over 2 million illegals, with crime, sex and drug trafficking and the scourge of poisonous fentanyl.
The progressives on the left don't care about American sovereignty or, for that matter, law and order, and culturally they have invaded our schools with racial and gender nonsense, rewriting American history and attempts to keep parents away from their childrens education.
Just step back for a moment. What we have here in this radical, progressive experiment is a complete failure, which of course is the whole history of socialist takeover attempts. In a little more than a year, the economy has gone from a prosperity boom with stable prices to a recessionary bust with sky-rocketing inflation. We just got a new number today confirming the first half recession with declining GDP.
Going from prosperity boom to stagflationary bust in a little more than a year is not an easy thing to do, but that is the sad tale of yet another unsuccessful attempt at government control of the economy and the socialist war against freedom.
Ronald Reagan and Bill Buckley would be appalled at this socialist assault on freedom that has resulted in America's decline. Remember Bill Buckley's admonition that sometimes we need to stand athwart history and yell, "Stop"? Similarly, Ronald Reagan would be so saddened to see the decline in his beloved City on a Hill.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Steve Hilton and Katie Pavlich reflect on the dangers of socialism on 'Kudlow.'
We're going to talk about all of this with our distinguished guests, but if you know me, you'll know how hard I intend to keep fighting against these temporary setbacks. If you know the American people, you'll know that they see right through these phony progressive promises.
Americans are a practical-minded folk. They know a rube when they see one and they know that when something doesn't work, it's time to get rid of it. Reagan believed all of that. Buckley believed all of that. Trump believed all of that, and that's why the fight against socialism is getting stronger and stronger around the country right now.Yes, indeed, I believe the cavalry is coming.
This article is adapted from Larry Kudlow's opening commentary on the September 29, 2022, edition of "Kudlow."
- The December 9 protest in Tanzania, Nyereres African Socialism and the Struggle for Permanent RevolutionPart Three - World Socialist Web Site - November 28th, 2025 [November 28th, 2025]
- What Socialism Got Right - In These Times - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- The December 9 Protest, Nyereres African Socialism and the Struggle for Permanent RevolutionPart Two - World Socialist Web Site - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Resolution denouncing socialism passes in the House, ahead of Mamdani visit with Trump - Deseret News - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump Prove That There Are Two Paths Toward Socialism - Reason Magazine - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- These 2 Arizona Congress members opposed measure decrying socialism - azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Watch: Carter denounces the horrors of socialism - U.S. Representative Buddy Carter (.gov) - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- The Wave of Evolutionary Socialism in American Cities: News Article - Independent Institute - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- They really think this is how socialism works. They're going to destroy the New York economy. - facebook.com - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Denouncing Socialism - Congressman Tom Mcclintock (.gov) - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Socialism and the soul of the Packard Foundation - Capital Research Center - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Mamdani dodges question on socialism vote ahead of high-stakes meeting with Trump - Fox News - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Horrors of socialism: The new red scare that preempts debate | Opinion - Idaho Statesman - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Armstrong Williams: Socialism is the equal sharing of misery | STAFF COMMENTARY - Baltimore Sun - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- The December 9 protest in Tanzania, Nyereres African Socialism and the Struggle for Permanent RevolutionPart One - World Socialist Web Site - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Political Landscape Shifts As Alabama's Figures And Sewell Take Opposing Stands On Socialism - Tuscaloosa Thread - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Socialism may be the rage in NYC, but not in Fairfax County! - Fairfax County Times - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- MINI: Don't kind yourself, socialism is alive and well in this country - Sioux City Journal - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- The Rise of Zohran Mamdani and Socialism in America - Heartland on the Lars Larson Show - The Heartland Institute - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- The Democratic Party Is Offering a False Choice Between Socialism and Technocracy - Reason Magazine - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Martin: The American Dream still outshines socialism - The Detroit News - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Opinion | Gen Z, Socialism and the Memes of Production - The Wall Street Journal - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Socialism will 'help the Republican Party if it spreads,' influencer says - Fox News - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- BELMONTE | The Scariest Thing This Halloween Was Socialism - The Cornell Daily Sun - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- PETROVA | The Red Sun Rises: How Democratic Socialism Swept the Vote - The Cornell Daily Sun - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- David North to speak in London November 22: The American Volcano: Towards Fascism or Socialism - World Socialist Web Site - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Horace Cooper: Socialism Destroys Everything It Touches - The National Center - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Socialism 2025: Armed with socialist ideas, we can change the world! - Socialist Party - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Martin County falls victim to socialism trend. Vero Beach home to aging heroes | Letters - Treasure Coast News - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Bill Maher's terribly confused socialism rant may have gotten one thing right - lastnighton.com - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- GEN Z LOVES SOCIALISM, BUT DONT KNOW WHAT IT IS Theyre not reading Karl Marx. Theyre just vibing with TikToks promising free stuff and no more... - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Building The Movement For Socialism In The Age Of Trump 2.0: Socialist Alternative Convention 2025 - Socialist Alternative - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- The Savage Heart of Socialism: Fear and Loathing Among the Democratic Socialists of America - The Daily Economy - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- Bill Maher on now socialism is tainting the Democratic party - Why Evolution Is True - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- Great interest in Berlin meeting Where is America Heading? Socialism or Barbarism?, to be addressed by American Trotskyist David North - World... - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- Can socialism ever be more than just a fad in America? - The Fulcrum - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- To save Ohio, Party for Socialism and Liberation says look beyond capitalism | Opinion - Akron Beacon Journal - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- Seattle Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson Thinks She Is the Exception to Socialism - The Daily Signal - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- Column: Socialism: What it was, what it is and what it will be - The Augusta Press - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- Bill Maher Rails Against Democratic Socialism on HBOs Real Time - IMDb - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- Zohran Mamdani and the ugly rebirth of the socialism of fools - Spiked - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- Questions on tipping culture; Thoughts on socialism; Letters to the Editor for Nov. 16, 2025 - LancasterOnline - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- Socialism and Liberalism: Articles of Conciliation? - Dissent Magazine - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- Charlamagne: Affordability, not socialism, is whats resonating in NYC - CNN - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- New York City chose Mamdani. Now we get to see full-blown socialism in action. | Opinion - USA Today - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- Where has socialism worked? What does Zohran Mamdani stand for and what are his plans for New York? - Diario AS - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- What to Know About Democratic Socialism, the Progressive Movement Championed by Bernie, AOC and Zohran Mamdani - People.com - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- After election night, GOP expected to center messaging on Mamdani and socialism - Scripps News - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- Readers sound off on socialism spreading, health insurers and lies about migrants - New York Daily News - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- Why Zohran Mamdanis Socialism Might Have a Future Outside New York City - NOTUS News of the United States - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- World Socialism Forum: Italian scholar: the world faces a choice between conflict and cooperation - news.cgtn.com - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- New York City chose Mamdani. So how will 'democratic socialism' play out in the US? - The Herald - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- How global media reported US election, Mamdani's win: From signal to Trump to NYC's love for socialism - livemint.com - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- Indonesia is building an economy that combines the best of socialism and capitalism - Peoples Dispatch - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Will Cain: Socialism is the brand of Democrats - Fox News - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- REP. SALAZAR AND SEN. RICK SCOTT INTRODUCE RESOLUTION CONDEMNING SOCIALISM AS A FAILED IDEOLOGY - House.gov - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Will Cain: Socialism is the brand of Democrats - Yahoo - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Watch | Bihar: Between Socialism & Hindutva | Nistula Hebbar in conversation with Ajay Singh - The Hindu - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Why privileged young New Yorkers love socialism and Zohran Mamdani - The Times - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Chinas progress proves socialism is the only viable framework for saving the planet - mronline.org - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Bees Expose Flaw in Socialism, Whether Autocratic or Democratic - The Daily Economy - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Driving the building of socialism across the country - Nhan Dan Online - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Another Democratic Mayor Who Understands Socialism Wont Save Our Cities - Unleash Prosperity - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Democratic socialism truth, justice, and the New American way - East Anglia Bylines - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Youth in Revolt: Fight for International Socialism! - ISA (International Socialist Alternative) - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Republican Support of Mamdanis Socialism - The Future of Freedom Foundation - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Letters: After seeing the wealthy get wealthier, I think Chicago could use some socialism - Chicago Tribune - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Higher education must be front and center in the fight against socialism - The Hill - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Zohran Mamdani and the the false hope of socialism rises again - Christian Post - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- After years of socialism, Bolivias runoff tests its shift to the right - Yahoo News Canada - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Protester with Party for Socialism and Liberation in Atlanta speaks out against Trump policies at 'No Kings' rally - 11Alive.com - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- After years of socialism, Bolivias runoff tests its shift to the right - Yahoo - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- After years of socialism, Bolivias runoff tests its shift to the right - thecanadianpressnews.ca - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Youth in Revolt: Fight for International Socialism! - Socialist Alternative - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- After 20 years of socialism, Bolivia set to shift right in run-off - Buenos Aires Times - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Mark Ruffalo Thinks We Have Too Many Billionaires, Socialism Is The Answer - OutKick - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- New Yorkers must save the city of dreams from Mamdanis socialism - The Hill - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- As Bolivias Elections Near, Why Socialism Is Out And The Catholic Church Might Be In - Religion Unplugged - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- After 20 years of socialism, Bolivian voters look right for economic salvation - Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Socialism offers whats wrong with capitalism - The Seattle Times - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]