I-95 John Galt billboard fits the times
Monday, June 22, 2009 at 09:28AM 
The actual billboard appears near the St. Mary's, Ga. exit as we traveled South on I-95. This photo was taken as we traveled North.Therefore, be aware we took liberties with our graphic.Returning to Florida from South Carolina, I saw a billboard with the question, “Who Is John Galt?” I told my husband that’s the most appropriate signage I’ve seen on the bleak highway in a long time. The sign appears close to the St. Mary’s, Georgia exit. I wondered how many people even know who John Galt is, present Web-based company excluded.
Ayn Rand’s novel declared an ideological war on government that punishes those who actually produce things. Ironically, I’ve been re-reading her novel after winning a copy as part of the prize for an essay contest sponsored by FreedomWorks. Rand’s novel dissects the impact of big government bent on social and economic engineering. She published the mega-book, more than 1,000 pages, in the aftermath of the disaster called the New Deal. The country was still trying to recover from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (and before him, President Herbert Hoover.) Some believe both administrations set us on the course that has brought us to the brink of economic insanity we are experiencing today.
The sign is perfectly appropriate for the times. The cronyism Rand details in her novel is alive and well in Washington. The Ayn Rand Institute’s Dr. Yaron Brook noted in an editorial at The Fox Forum there’s an Ayn Rand renaissance of sorts. Brook said, “ ‘Atlas Shrugged’ argues that ideas shape society. A society that values reason, the individual, and freedom creates the United States of America. A society that denounces the mind, preaches self-sacrifice, and worships the collective creates Nazi Germany. What ‘Atlas’ shows is how our culture’s ideas–particularly its ideas about morality–are moving us step by step away from the Founding Fathers’ ideal.”
Rand’s novel published in 1957 foretold the present day approach—sacrificing the individual for the benefit of the collective, with an emphasis on redistribution of wealth whether or not the receiver has done anything to earn it. Ultimately all power is centralized in the government and the political class. I was surprised to find an excellent overview of ‘Atlas Shrugged’ at Wikipedia.
Rumors are afoot there’ll be a movie of ‘Atlas Shrugged,’ and I’m betting the novel will present a giant challenge to any screenwriter. The novel is more than a fictional journey; it’s a philosophical journey as well. I’d hope that somewhere in Tinseltown there’s an actress worthy of playing the character Dagny Taggart, but chances for that are slim to none. I don’t think a neoliberal can even begin to understand Dagny’s character, and neolibs dominate entertainment. In all fairness, you’d almost have to be a neolib to get a decent part nowadays. The tinselati don’t tolerate opposing views very well.
The billboard on I 95 certainly is appropriate for the present. ‘Who is John Galt’ is a phrase every American should understand, a phrase evoking the essence of personal freedom and individualism. I was unable to learn who erected the billboard, but I am appreciative there’s someone out there who realizes what we stand to lose if our current course is not seriously adjusted. It’s time for us to go Galt.
by Kay B. Day
June 22, 2009
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Update
The John Galt billboard mystery is solved. Read our followup column.--Kay B. Day/The US Report.
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Reader Comments (13)
I also saw the billboard and have been curious as to who John Galt is. After my internet search it has occured to me the time of Ayn Rand is closer than we think. We need to rally around a "John Galt". To who ever posted that billboard - Applause for shouting out your opinion! I concur!!
I saw the billboard in Virginia back in the 1960's when it was being used to promote the book. It took me 40 years to get around to reading the book. A fascinating novel that prophecied the events of today from a depression era perspective. In the old country, Ayn Rand lived the history that is sure to be repeated in the near future as government tries to make you behave, you bad, evil citizen!
Rand pegged it perfectly. I figure we're repeating the FDR reign. And I love the billboard.
I saw a billboard with the same words in Georgia in the early 60s when I lived in Jonesboro, just south of Atlanta. I would have been around 10 at the time, and remember asking my mom what it meant. She didn't know, and it was many years later when I discovered Ayn Rand and John Galt again.
A very appropriate billboard for the times.
Just came home from Savannah to Florida and saw the sign. I have been reading the book for the past few weeks (very Long) and love it I have been encouraging everyone I know to read it to truly understand what is going on today in our society. I was so thrilled to know that other people are seeing it too...
I am encouraged to re-read Any Rand's Atlas Shrugged. Great for our times!
I was returning from SC today - I just took my son to USC (my alma mater) and I recently asked someone to read Atlas Shrugged based on something that had occurred. I was looking for another billboard but never saw it. I KNEW what it meant - it meant exactly what you said - but only the people that have read Atlas know what this means - how do we "spread the word?" 8/16/08
Kathy, I've heard rumors they're trying to bring the novel to the screen (this has been going on for years). It's my opinion bluechip media might take a look at possibilties for a Rand feature--her books are still selling in large numbers. She predicted everything we are experiencing at present. She was amazing. We spread the word by talking politics and by using fact rather than fear or exploitation to hold elected officials accountable regardless of Party. And we urge people to vote.
USC is a great school. Carolina is very pretty country. best, Kay
We saw the billboard on our way home from the north to Florida...I was floored! I have read the book several times though have thought of re-reading because of recent issues.................makes me hopefully that someone remembers Rands greatest work and the message behind it.............At least there is some hope in these dark times!
I too just finished reading Atlas Shrugged and have already purchased Fountainhead, another novel by Ayn Rand. They should be required reading in our public schools. In answer to the question about a movie, it is in the works. Check out the following link http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480239/fullcredits#writers
I look forward to seeing the movie. It is set for release in 2011, just prior to the next Presidential election.
I have seen the billboard and have nodded approvingly every time. It seems likely that its meaning will be lost on most, because who bothers to read anymore? Afterall, people have Facebook, Twitter and the celebrity garbage that passes as "news" to worry about. A curious few will undoubtedly google it, read a couple lines on wikipedia then brag to their friends that they "get" the reference. But it takes the effort to read the book (and it's a big effort; that book is long, and not a simple pop-fiction piece, easy to digest) to truly "get" the reference.
It seems future generations of Americans will be little more than indentured servants, their wages being confiscated to feed the huge monster that is government. Not to say that free market capitalism is without blame; Wall Street certainly deserves a good share of the blame for our current troubles. But a government that continues to grow out of control, under the stewardship of either Republican or Democrat, will eventually collapse into chaos.
Ayn Rand should be mandatory reading for everyone.
I heard about this billboard from my uncle and I was very curious as to who is responsible for putting it there.
The book truely is long and rewarding but I read it years ago, this time i listed to the CD version and it is better yet. It takes forever but while riiding in the car or i copied it to my ipod and take long walks lost in this greatest of books.