Help Washington, DC Choose a New Motto!
8:22 pm | Attention Deficit Democracy | Bovard
The District of Columbia is trying to fix its image. Thus, it is spending $150,000 to choose a new motto for the city. The Washington Post reports, “Civic leaders say they are looking for more than just a snappy line.”
The Post notes that other states and cities are seeking to rebrand themselves with slogan. The state government of New Jersey ”recently embraced — and just as quickly abandoned — two new slogans: ‘We’ll Win You Over’ and ‘Come See for Yourself.’”
Likewise, “Baltimore recently spent 18 months and about $500,000 on a campaign that resulted in, among other things, a new logo (a sailboat) and a new tag line, ‘Get in on It’ — as in ‘get in on a city that has a lot going for it,’ said Nancy Hinds of the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association.” Hinds’s explanation is helpful, less people assume that the ‘it’ referred to a drug deal or drive-by shooting.
But - back to DC.
It pains me deeply but some people doubt my patriotism. I see this DC slogan contest as a chance for me to help my country by helping the nation’s capital boost its image.
Here are some of the suggestions readers have already posted on the Washington Post website:
*Where Some Tourists Come to Die
*Zimbabwe Without the Passport
*Eat here and get shot
*The Most Self-Important City in the World
*Criminals without Prosecution
*Come to DC…we’ll build you a stadium
*Leave your guns at home and let our criminals take
care of you
*Wee Kan Reed
***
Of course, not everyone on the Washington Post website favored such slogans. One person lamented, “There is a lot of hatred on this site. To all you haters, know that we consider the source. Your messages speak about you, not to us.”
I guess not everyone likes political humor.
What other suggestions do people have for a new motto for DC?
TrackBack
http://jimbovard.com/blog/2007/03/25/help-washington-dc-choose-a-new-motto/trackback/
Comments
RSS feed for comments on this post
Larry Ruane
Comment on Sunday 25th March 2007 @ 10:05 pm
Not quite a motto, but I believe it was Joe Sobran who proposed this bumper sticker:
“Statehood for DC? Be ambitious! Go for nationhood!”
Scott
Comment on Sunday 25th March 2007 @ 11:38 pm
Moscow for the 21st Century
Cossack
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 2:06 am
“Washington - Where the rich and brainless dictate to the ‘unwashed masses’.
Phil
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 7:57 am
FOR SALE
Ryan
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 8:06 am
DC- Land of 10,000 Lobbyists
Brendan
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 9:03 am
Washington, D.C.: Our slogan cost the taxpayers $150,000!
nomad
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 9:23 am
HELP US… HELP US
WHERE IT’S ALWAYS 1984
WHERE “HUMAN SEE, HUMAN DO”
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CREDULOUS
I’ll stop. But it’s hard.
Dirk W. Sabin
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 9:36 am
Now I know we’ve been admonished against potentially inflammatory ethnic slurs but …How about:
1. Arbeit Macht Frei
2. Geneva Conventions? We don’t need no stinkin Geneva Conventions.
3. Resistance is Futile
4. So Much Money, So Little Time
5. If you Gotta Ask, you can’t Afford It.
Annie
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 9:46 am
Cheat & Deceit Capital of the World
Lawhobbit
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 9:54 am
I’d vote for the Brian Wilson one:
“A perfectly good swamp turned into a sewer.”
klyde
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 10:42 am
“Zimbabawe without the passport?”
You’re kidding right? When has the DC city government not had open elections?
Apply the slogan to Florida and Ohio you might have something.
Jim
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 10:53 am
Hey, I was merely quoting the thoughtful comments of readers of the Washington Post.
Maybe it is an unfair comparison to Washington. Marion Barry was only elected mayor four times, and he did not hold office nearly as long as Zimbabwe’s current leader.
Ike Hall
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 12:21 pm
“Mordor-on-the-Potomac”
Ike Hall
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 12:25 pm
Heh. “Where it’s always 1984″ was a good one. How about “Where unarmed citizens make compliant subjects”
Mike Smith
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Her’s a slogan…
“I did not have sex with that woman.”
Bill B.
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 3:07 pm
War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength
Vic Anderson
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 3:17 pm
Washington, District of Columbine.
Alexander A.I.
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 4:12 pm
“Waste not, want not. NOT!” 
Scott Graves
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 5:37 pm
“Never before have so many done so little for so few for so much.”
TPL
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 6:32 pm
DC: Drive-by and C
DC: Free toe-tag with every visit
Darfur on the Potomac
TPL
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 6:45 pm
Washington D.C.: Bill of Rights Free Zone
Tom Blanton
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 9:53 pm
Gosh, you can almost feel the hatred. It’s just ….chilling. These slogans are just too negative. I would go with happy positive slogans to attract folks.
DC - The Shining Brothel On The Hill
Happy Boots For Every Neck!
We’re Here To Help You!
Let Your Inner War Pimp Run Wild!
The Party Gulag That Never Sleeps
What Happens In DC Stays Classified In DC
America’s Playground For Special People
Remove Your Shoes and Stay Awhile!
There should be a national porkfest at the Lincoln Memorial on the Fourth of July where they roll out the barrels of raw pork and cheap booze. Everyone could wear togas and there would be tents set up in the mall where you can have sex with pages and interns, bribe politicians, torture foreign detainees, etc. - fun stuff for the whole family!
Jim
Comment on Monday 26th March 2007 @ 9:57 pm
I don’t mean to nitpick, but what about having pig roasts instead of raw pork?
That might better symbolize the treatment taxpayers receive.
‘Course, I would be naive if I expected the feds to choose good BBQ sauce.
Windy
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 12:30 am
DC: Come visit your tax dollars before they disappear into some officials’ pockets.
James
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 1:02 am
DC: Death Cult
Basil
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 4:52 am
That’s simple. The Eagle’s Nest.
HaroldC
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 6:03 am
DC! Where sh*t happens!
TPL
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 6:03 am
Washington D.C.: We’ll Catch Your Smiles (on Red-Light Cameras)
joh dente
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 6:59 am
“The Lies Start Here”
Alpowolf
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 11:46 am
Washington D.C.:Our Buses Are A Big Hit
Alpowolf
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 11:51 am
Or: “So Bad It Makes Sanjaya Sound Good”
Jim
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 12:00 pm
On the “Our Buses are a Big Hit” proposal -
For those lucky enough not to live in this area - Metro Bus has been having PR problems lately because its drivers have been killing more than 2 pedestrians a week. This has generated some hand-writing editorials.
The Metro transit authority plans to respond to the problem with a $5 million ad campaign hyping the fact that taking a Metro bus is safer than being a pedestrian.
Dan
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 2:09 pm
D.C. — The New Green Zone!
Alex
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 3:12 pm
The home of the Military Incestuous Complex
Born to Lobby
All they want to do is graft.
What’s taxed by DC stays in DC.
DC- Money for nothing and your page for free
DC- Land of Embattlement
CFisher
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 3:14 pm
Beltway. Eat Pork
Washington D.C.: Where liberty and decency come to die.
Washington D.C.: The best little whorehouse on the Atlantic
Washington D.C.: Bringing you needless wars since 1812
Washington D.C.: If we didn’t spend your money, you’d probably just do something productive with it anyway.
Washington D.C.: Try and stop us.
(From the Simpsons)
CFisher
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 3:48 pm
**Sorry for the double post. Forgot one:
Washington DC: You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villany
Alex
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 4:45 pm
DC: Lying means never having to say you’re sorry.
DC- We can’t handle the truth
Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son, unless you’re a politician. (from Animal House)
I love the smell of corruption in the morning.
What we’ve got here is failure to legislate. (from Cool Hand Luke)
Show US the money
ray
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 6:25 pm
D.C.: The Root Of Many Evils
D.C.: Home of The Galactic Emperor
D.C.: Enough To Make The Barbary Pirates Envious
D.C.: Plunder,Inc.
D.C.: Egregious Beyond Belief
Tom Blanton
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 7:06 pm
I think I like nomad’s suggestion:
WHERE IT’S ALWAYS 1984
That pretty much sums it up on a number of levels. I urge all good citizens to take the initiative and start putting up the signs themselves immediately!
By the way, nobody can say the folks in the Metro Bus PR Dept don’t have a sense of humor. Ride on the bus or die under the bus.
Jim, are you kidding? Vampires and zombies hate cooked meat. They wouldn’t eat roast pork - maybe singed by bomb blasts, but not barbequed.
Jim
Comment on Tuesday 27th March 2007 @ 8:06 pm
Tom, I wasn’t thinking about whether they liked it.
I was figured, in case I was bicycling by, I might be able to purloin a few slices. But perhaps that is my usual optimistic naivete.
**That’s a great slogan for Metrobus. If I hear about them hiring PR contractors, I’ll forward the notice your way.
lone_striker
Comment on Wednesday 28th March 2007 @ 12:14 am
D.C. = Ottowa + Brasilia
D.C. - *Disenfranchised underclass & *Clandestine bureaucrats traffiking in advanced weaponry & refined opiates. Call 1-800-CocoPop for our brochure. ‘Afgan’ Ollie North & Marion ‘Columbo’ Barry, spokesmen. Agent: Cartels International Associated.
Washington D.C. - Visit the National Homeland Security Utopia of Tomorrow, Today!
Mace Price
Comment on Wednesday 28th March 2007 @ 12:28 am
…Moto of Las Vegas: “What happens here, stays here.”
…New Moto for DC: “What happens here, is monitored by video surveillance.”
Randall V
Comment on Wednesday 28th March 2007 @ 2:33 pm
Washington D.C. — “Welcome to the Theives’ Forest”
Alex
Comment on Wednesday 28th March 2007 @ 2:56 pm
Don’t tread on my reality
DC- Oligarchy at work
We’re not in Kansas anymore
Round up the ususal suspects
Well, nobobdy’s perfect.
With God as my witness, I’ll never be hungry for campaign contributions again.
Mr. Lobyist, you’re trying to seduce me, aren’t you?
Jerimiah
Comment on Wednesday 28th March 2007 @ 6:24 pm
Washington DC - Home Of The Liar’s Den
Dave
Comment on Wednesday 28th March 2007 @ 7:42 pm
Here’s my contribution: “Washington, D.C.: Where politicians travel with armed law enforcement bodyguards carrying automatic weapons but where you are denied the ability to defend yourself from jackals wishing to kill, rape, and strip your body of valuables (in that order). Too wordy?
Jim
Comment on Wednesday 28th March 2007 @ 7:45 pm
Nah, it’s not too wordy.
The Internet Service Provider that hosts this blog doesn’t charge me by the word, so it’s fine.
Nice contrast about the automatic weapons & the disarmed citizens.
20th Century Foxx
Comment on Thursday 29th March 2007 @ 7:31 am
D.C. - Don’t Come.
Washington, DC 2007 - It’s not just for Republicans anymore.
Mace Price
Comment on Thursday 29th March 2007 @ 8:50 am
“–Bring ‘em on!”
ron
Comment on Thursday 29th March 2007 @ 11:21 am
Where Dreams and Memories Pave the Way
Mace Price
Comment on Thursday 29th March 2007 @ 11:59 am
Inside The D.C. Beltway “Where you’ll say: It doesn’t get any better than this!”
MQ
Comment on Thursday 29th March 2007 @ 9:09 pm
Y’all should check out the similar (though less, ummm, vicious) thread on Matthew Yglesias’s blog:
http://www.matthewyglesias.com/archives/2007/03/more_appeal_needed/
Some of the best from the Yglesias thread:
Washington DC: Where your interests are…special!
Washington DC: This slogan cost $8 million of your tax money
Washington DC: Where Big Brother is at least nice enough to pay you
Washington DC: You voted for ‘em!
Jim
Comment on Thursday 29th March 2007 @ 9:40 pm
“Vicious”?
This site?
Hey - it is now officially high-toned.
Yglesias has an excellent blog - he has hit quite a few nails on the head.
Vic Anderson
Comment on Friday 30th March 2007 @ 2:30 pm
OK!
Bush Warrin’ Policy Capital of the World.
Mace Price
Comment on Friday 30th March 2007 @ 4:12 pm
Washington DC: “Intrigue Wonderland”
howard zien
Comment on Sunday 22nd April 2007 @ 5:21 pm
DC- Direct Connect to History
Thomas Mullins
Comment on Tuesday 24th April 2007 @ 11:07 pm
“What happens there starts here”
a good D.C. Slogan
mike driscoll
Comment on Tuesday 24th April 2007 @ 11:18 pm
THE PLACE TO BE,WASHINGTON D.C.
Kristin
Comment on Tuesday 24th April 2007 @ 11:47 pm
Reach for the Stars
Kristin
Comment on Tuesday 24th April 2007 @ 11:50 pm
Where the spirit of freedom thrives
Kristin
Comment on Tuesday 24th April 2007 @ 11:54 pm
DC-America’s Centerpiece
Kristin
Comment on Wednesday 25th April 2007 @ 12:00 am
Wake Up to the Extraordinary
Kristin
Comment on Wednesday 25th April 2007 @ 12:11 am
Live Our Legacy
Kristin
Comment on Wednesday 25th April 2007 @ 1:30 am
DC-Speaks to the Soul
Rich Bund
Comment on Wednesday 25th April 2007 @ 2:23 am
DC, Of The, For The, and By The People
Rich Bund
Comment on Wednesday 25th April 2007 @ 2:24 am
Washington DC… Not just any district!
Rich Bund
Comment on Wednesday 25th April 2007 @ 2:31 am
DC… Who’s district is it anyway?
Rich Bund
Comment on Wednesday 25th April 2007 @ 2:34 am
Visit Washington DC and have a capital time!
Gary Michael
Comment on Wednesday 25th April 2007 @ 8:06 am
See History Being Made Today
Jean Blaylock
Comment on Wednesday 25th April 2007 @ 10:30 am
MOTTO
Your Buck Stops Here
or
Your Buck Stays Here
Liz
Comment on Wednesday 25th April 2007 @ 10:52 am
Washington DC: “Come visit your money.”
Washington DC: “Your tax dollars hard at work! (said with straight face if possible)”
Liz
Comment on Wednesday 25th April 2007 @ 11:23 am
Sorry…forgot one.
DC - Where they can make and take your money at the same time
Kristin
Comment on Wednesday 25th April 2007 @ 12:51 pm
DC-Live Our Legacy
Mike
Comment on Wednesday 25th April 2007 @ 5:03 pm
Washington D.C.- The focal point of the world.
John Hadley
Comment on Wednesday 25th April 2007 @ 9:18 pm
I heard Washington DC is looking for a new slogan on the local radio in Chicago WLS 890 radio. Since most schools schedule an Eight grade field trip to the capital, Also Washington DC has a high number of college graduates in the city, and the city has a lot of history. I wish to submit this slogan:
Washington DC, Not just for 8th graders.
Katie Harvey
Comment on Wednesday 25th April 2007 @ 11:05 pm
“The Marble Column Capitol”
Where Justice is a joke!!
Joyce
Comment on Thursday 26th April 2007 @ 2:23 am
Come to Washington DC the seat of power and feel the energy.
Eric
Comment on Thursday 26th April 2007 @ 5:56 am
“History in the making”
Davita Simons
Comment on Thursday 26th April 2007 @ 11:10 am
I have been to DC on multiple occasions. I truley enjoyed the many different museums and things to do and see. I’m not very political but the history and monuments are very interesting. I know I still know very little about this state especially after reading some of the violent motto’s. But I still think that this state has many different things to offer it’s visitors. I like, “Washington Dare to Compare”. The D and C being bold print. What other states have this much to do and see in just one state.
Jim
Comment on Thursday 26th April 2007 @ 11:21 am
Hmmm….
It appears that idealists have discovered this blog.
Doris W
Comment on Friday 27th April 2007 @ 4:37 pm
AC,DC it’s Electric!!!!!!!
America’s Capitol, DC it’s Electrlc!!!!
tony wheeler
Comment on Friday 27th April 2007 @ 8:44 pm
D.C.”THE NATIONS CAPITOL SECRET” OR
D.C.”THE NATIONS TOP SECRET” OR
EVERYTHINGS TOP SECRET IN D.C.,OR HOW ABOUT?,ACCESS IS GRANTED IN D.C.
Liz
Comment on Wednesday 16th May 2007 @ 8:36 am
To Davita Simons:
DC is NOT a state. It is a District. I guess I still agree with the “Taxation Without Representation” slogan that is on their registration plates now.
Andrea Morrison
Comment on Saturday 26th May 2007 @ 6:16 pm
“Washigton D.C., an electrifing experience.”
Charles Koontz, Sr.
Comment on Saturday 26th May 2007 @ 6:18 pm
How does this sound: Ah DC You look so good to me!
Andrea Morrison
Comment on Saturday 26th May 2007 @ 6:21 pm
“Washington D.C, a Capitol idea!”
Darrell Ree
Comment on Saturday 26th May 2007 @ 6:32 pm
Washington D.C. The Historical playground of the World
mike fasone
Comment on Sunday 27th May 2007 @ 8:02 am
“where democracy speaks “
J Holland
Comment on Sunday 27th May 2007 @ 9:02 am
Washington D. C., the hub of the wheel of democracy. I think that would be a good motto,. It is a goal anyway, and the way we would like to think we are to the world. Isn’t a motto something that makes a comment about the very best we hope to be? thanks
Bill Curtiw
Comment on Sunday 27th May 2007 @ 10:36 am
How about,
DC The Heartbeat of America.
Bill
Sandra DEE
Comment on Sunday 27th May 2007 @ 11:17 am
Washington DC, where Dreams Come & Dreams Can!!!
Mark W. Belbin
Comment on Sunday 27th May 2007 @ 12:47 pm
Washington DC, Heritage is our foundation
Bill Cook
Comment on Monday 28th May 2007 @ 6:45 am
Try this “Me and DC”
mary t. mayville
Comment on Monday 28th May 2007 @ 6:55 am
Washington,DC motto contest
“Foundation of our Free Nation”
Randy Richmond
Comment on Monday 28th May 2007 @ 10:31 am
“Washington DC, Living History” I think this has a double meaning.
Kelci
Comment on Monday 28th May 2007 @ 6:20 pm
Washington D.C.: The core of our government - The heart of our nation!
Washington D.C.: Where the Eagle flies
Washington D.C.: It started here - it ends here.
Washington D.C.: A monumetal place.
Stacy McKain
Comment on Monday 28th May 2007 @ 8:13 pm
I am from Omaha, NE but went to DC a few years ago and spent some very memorable moments on the mall, so I think it should be: Washington, DC: Monumentally Memorable
CJ
Comment on Monday 28th May 2007 @ 10:31 pm
1)Come See DC
2)Do See DC
3) DC A place of the American Experience
Cathy Graupner
Comment on Monday 28th May 2007 @ 11:55 pm
How about:
Washington DC
SEE it NOW!
L..F.Varness
Comment on Tuesday 29th May 2007 @ 10:38 am
Washington, D.C.
Reflections on Democracy
Reflections can be perceived as good or bad- one’s viewpoint when looking at the White House, Lincoln, street life etc.
John Broderick
Comment on Tuesday 29th May 2007 @ 10:57 am
Where no citizen gets left behind!
linda obrycki
Comment on Tuesday 29th May 2007 @ 4:37 pm
WASHINGTON D.C. WERE HISTORY BECOMES ALIVE!!!!!! OR
WASHINGTON D.C.ALIVE WITH HISTORY!!!!
Ronnie Fender
Comment on Wednesday 30th May 2007 @ 6:06 am
Washington D.C. - Where the World looks for leadership.
Sandy Guthrie
Comment on Wednesday 30th May 2007 @ 3:02 pm
DC - It’s everything you thought it’d be!
donna
Comment on Wednesday 30th May 2007 @ 7:48 pm
come and see the fun in washington D.C.
Patricia Barboza
Comment on Thursday 31st May 2007 @ 6:13 pm
Washington D.C. -
“Heartbeat of the Nation”
Laurie Ellis
Comment on Friday 1st June 2007 @ 11:15 am
Wonder Lust.
DC - a must see
Ronald Chew
Comment on Friday 1st June 2007 @ 11:18 am
Slogan 1: Washington DC, The buck starts here
Slogan2: Washington DC, Where it all begans
Slogan 3: Washington DC, Live the Dream
Slogan 4: Washington DC, A place to Live and Learn
Slogan 5: Washington DC is the palce to be
Ronald Chew
Comment on Friday 1st June 2007 @ 11:22 am
Correction on Slogan 5:
Washington DC is the place to be
Kari
Comment on Friday 1st June 2007 @ 11:57 am
Washington, DC: For the People, by the People
Connie Jones
Comment on Friday 1st June 2007 @ 4:18 pm
I’d like to submit a slogan: D.C., See and Be a Part of History
Gerald Brown
Comment on Tuesday 5th June 2007 @ 11:43 pm
Slogan for Washington, D.C.: See Liberty and Justice on vacation.
Helen L Butler
Comment on Wednesday 13th June 2007 @ 8:33 pm
WASHINGTON, DC
The HEART-string of AMERICA
Bill P
Comment on Friday 15th June 2007 @ 6:57 pm
My motto idea for Washington, D.C.:
Washington, D.C., Democracy’s Cornerstone, or Cornerstone of Democracy.
Carol in New Hampshire
Comment on Wednesday 11th July 2007 @ 10:50 am
Washington DC: Why your vote counts!
kat
Comment on Wednesday 22nd August 2007 @ 10:04 pm
take serious the effort to find a new motto for DC its the pride of the home land,
“DC its a kaleidoscope experience”
Linda Diane Oliver
Comment on Saturday 13th October 2007 @ 7:39 pm
Where the President presides
Where Monuments are made
smac07
Comment on Thursday 26th June 2008 @ 8:47 pm
“DC, where the money goes”
Leave a Comment
Basic HTML Tags are allowed. Comments are subject to moderation