Irish ‘John Galt’ Blasts Politicians, Bureaucrats & Crony Capitalists At EU Summit
- Posted on December 20, 2011 at 3:30pm by
Becket Adams
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“This is the first time I think that I or Ryanair have ever been invited to a conference by the European Union. Because as most of you know, the European Union spends most of its time suing me, torturing me, criticizing me or condemning me for lowering the cost of air travel…and making life so really difficult for their favorite airlines, which as we all know like high-fare airlines…who must be protected at all costs because they’re the ‘future of Europe,’” said Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary.
If you think his opening lines are astonishing, consider the fact that O’Leary delivered his anti-E.U. remarks at an E.U. hosted summit. And he holds nothing back.
In the following address, the “maverick air-tycoon” declares all-out war on crony capitalism, mocks his inefficient and underperforming competitors, attacks politicians for stifling business growth, and lambasts bureaucrats for discouraging innovation with multitudinous, convoluted regulations.
“For this speech to come from someone in Europe, let alone at a summit at the EU, is a conservative dream,” writes J.P. Freire of The American Spectator.
Once O’Leary gets warmed up, he lets loose:
If you look at the mess Europe is in, if you look at the mess that the European economy is in, there’s only one way out of it.
And it’s not going to be a summit of European politicians. It’s certainly not going to be a conference held in Brussels, where the last innovative idea came in 1922, I think.
Innovation is going to be the way for the European economy to grow, to develop, to create new jobs and that‘s why I think it’s so important we have four young people.
I‘m kind of a little bit nervous that we’ve brought them to Brussels where I’m afraid that their innovative streak, or their spark of innovation, might be dulled by a long lunch, an afternoon sleep, followed by an early finish, and then they’d all become–God help us–politicians or bureaucrats in Brussels and therefore do nothing to add to the sum of human kind.
Watch the defiant CEO deliver his fierce “John Galt” speech (viewer discretion advised–some of the subject material is inappropriate for younger audiences):
It‘s worth pointing out that when O’Leary says “We don’t have strikes,” he means it.
The American Spectator’s J.P. Freire explains:
…earlier this year, O’Leary controversially demanded that striking air traffic controllers be fired as part of an EU ban on strikes, similar to President Reagan’s response to an air traffic control strike in 1981. Over 2.5 million passengers‘ plans were disrupted by the strikes that had O’Leary fuming.
Amusingly enough, when the airline CEO’s presentation is over, one of the moderators tries to suggest that Ryanair’s success is due in no small part to the E.U.’s efforts to deregulate the air travel industry.
“Nope, but it was 30 years ago, and we haven’t innovated since,” O’Leary replies without skipping a beat.
(h/t The American Spectator)
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Comments (76)
notreally
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:12pmLet’s face it: The percentage of human beings who have the IQ and drive to pursue their own dreams which inevitably benefit all mankind is small — about 1%.
Report Post »FSM_47
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:35pmgreat point — thank good for them
Report Post »JohnQTaxpayer
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:39pm1%…………….. that is generous
Report Post »FSM_47
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:49pmGreat response.
Report Post »SteveSD
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 6:45pmPossibly, but you don’t have to benefit all mankind to be a valuable part of a free market. The percentage of people that can make a significant contribution to their local town, neighborhood, or family is, for all intents and purposes 100%.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:04pmDo any of you know who the real John Galt is/was or what he stood for? I just learned of him 2 weeks ago. Funny how Life finds a way!
Report Post »crazyrightwingmom
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:49pmSteve SD is right! We all can benefit all of mankind….the ripple effect from good actions can go on forever. And unfettered creativity and the right to freely produce is sacred. We can all do that in a free country!!
Report Post »(And those who take the fruits of these efforts are evil thieves.)
GhostOfJefferson
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:06pmSo then, they deserve to be left to pursue their dreams, which benefit us all.
A Gael, as John Galt. No surprises.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 11:50amActually, I think that number “IS” about 10,000 times too large, in your estimate. It’s more like 0.00001% or smaller. I know, I’d like to believe it is that optimistic, also.
But Mr. Galt, is correct. There “IS” only one way out for the EU. And without actually saying it out loud, he told them the EU has to fail. Everyone knows, if they could be productive, they would.
Report Post »korbin
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:11pmBest presentation I have ever seen. You know what is funny is being honest and not politically correct is what most humans desire. The political correctness is the demise of the US as we know it. Cow tow to the minority is why normal people scratch their heads in confusion on most every governmental decision made. Remove PC and we cure at least half of all our ills. Take that and shove it up your arse.
Report Post »korbin
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:14pmAfter reading the other posts do you not see what I mean by my previous post? not one negative post and most were asking for his presidency, all because he told the truth………. We have all been swayed, suckered pilfered and lied to so long it’s refreshing to see normalcy……
Report Post »kralspaces
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 6:00pmDid you notice that there was very little laughter or applause… The audience was in shock.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:11pmNo he has it wrong, BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA will save us, the govt will print trillions of dollars and we will all be rich rich rich…. Dont you know that!!!! The govt will make us all equal and social justice will rain down upon all… And we can all give thanks and praise to our dear leader… And sing and chant … Only goodness comes from our belved federal Criminals, .. Uh i mean leaders….
Report Post »elosogrande
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:10pmYou might wish our government would listen to this, but we have a problem. No one in our government is capable of understanding what he’s saying. Their only concern is who is going to get to spend our money.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:17pmCut our FEDERAL CRIMINAL GOVT. by75% … and watch us BOOM ECONOMICALLY !!!!!!!
Report Post »HumbleMan
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:18pmWatch the faces … only a couple of them get it. and the rest are lost.
This guy has “eggs” … and it really is a John Galt speech. I hope he survives it.
Report Post »michael48
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:06pmperhaps he can give some advice to King Ocommie…but then again ,4th most socialist pres. in history knows it ALL…until it’s time to know ANYTHING..
Report Post »Redhandpaddy
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:05pmMichael O’Leary or the anti business goons of the EPA et al ? Hmmmm Micheal O’Leary please.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:05pmWe need many more of this sort of person.
Report Post »sb36695
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:02pmCan he be my president?!
Report Post »Depressed_American
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:56pmBrilliant Speaker, I wish our government would listen to this….. Get the government out of the way, and the world will open up.
Report Post »ride4jesus
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 12:01pmUnfortunately, our gov’t wont listen… why? because all we do is try to emulate the EU and what Europe is doing… and they always fail… so we always fail….
Report Post »PKato
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:56pmIf everyone thought like this, how much better off would we be?
Report Post »Mad_as_Hell...
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:50pmCan I get an Amen!!!
Report Post »Phreqguru
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 2:29pmAmen!
Report Post »Phreqguru
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 3:08pmAmen again
Report Post »TeaPartyDragon
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:43pmSpot on!
Report Post »martinez012577
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:40pmThat guy is awesome!!!!
Report Post »OTBoxer
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:36pmJohn Galt could neither fix the EU, nor the US, because it is about 50 years too late for his kind of solution!
But, do not despair, we actually have a better than John Gault: the real life, flesh and blood Hans Hermann Hoppe, who does have the best weapons in the defense of liberty, here, over there, and everywhere! Check him out now! The sooner we can get rolling, the easier it will be.
Report Post »seejanemom
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:36pmAn Alpha Male with an accent and a brain.
DANG.
***I’m in love****
Report Post »FSM_47
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:51pmlol
Report Post »Patriotic_Mercenary
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:33pmThat was one of the most refreshing talks I’ve had the privilege of hearing. The way that he took apart the bureaucracy and their multitude of ineffective and inefficient policies was astounding. The same could go for what has happened with our Congress and the various inept departments within our Executive Branch.
Report Post »AnAmerican111
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:23pmSee Europe……………………………
and now see OBUMA’s America!…………………………………one in the same.
Give the pathetic criminal OBUMA 4 more years and it will be reality!
Report Post »its_time_to_arrest_our_government
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:08pmi say we give Obama 40 years…… in prison, him and all his progressive/ commie buddy’s. its time for we the American people to take charge of our nation by bring all our politicians up on charges. they have violated their oath of office and the constitution. the constitution was written as a guide for them to follow. now they think it just gets in their way. well if its in your way its illegal and its high time we hold them to account for it. when your senator and congressman show up back at home have your local sheriff arrest them. if hes not willing to do his job its time to elect a new one who will. its time we take our nation back, by force if that’s what it takes!
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:20pmMe ‘at’s ta ye Michael.
Report Post »jim
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:12pmEurope lacks innovation because, in a socialist system, market competition wanes, as corporate complacency and corruption results from intrusive nanny state governments. Meanwhile, over-regulation kills investment capital, and demand is killed by an always slowing economy and loss of jobs. Lack of innovation is just a symptom the deeper problem of socialism.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:29pmhey Jim,
Report Post »You got two types of people in the world… The people who work, and those who live off the people that work, SOCIALISM. allows the lazy to hide in plain sight, CAPITALISM allows the hard worker to reap his or her rewards… This is why the lazy will always prefef a socialist system… BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA always speaks of sharing the wealth, but never speaks of sharing the LABOR… EVER !!!!!
ccrabill
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:08pmBooyah!
Report Post »Anamah
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:06pmWell said!
Report Post »DesdemonasCrew
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:01pmMaybe we are experiencing a sea change? Hope springs eternal.
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:50pmIrish Spring ?
Sounds better than the other springs we hear tell of lately.
Report Post »DesdemonasCrew
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:32pmFunny! Smells a lot better too!
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:01pmIrish Diplomacy
The ability to tell a man, or woman, to go to he!!, so that they look forward to the trip.
Report Post »beket
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:00pmWoo Hoo!!!
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:00pmThis guy is honest, intelligent, makes alot of sense and isn’t afraid to say it like it is…..he will be lucky if he is still alive soon.
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