Help Washington, DC Choose a New Motto!

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?

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119 Responses to Help Washington, DC Choose a New Motto!

  1. Larry Ruane March 25, 2007 at 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!”

  2. Scott March 25, 2007 at 11:38 pm #

    Moscow for the 21st Century

  3. Cossack March 26, 2007 at 2:06 am #

    “Washington – Where the rich and brainless dictate to the ‘unwashed masses’.

  4. Phil March 26, 2007 at 7:57 am #

    FOR SALE

  5. Ryan March 26, 2007 at 8:06 am #

    DC- Land of 10,000 Lobbyists

  6. Brendan March 26, 2007 at 9:03 am #

    Washington, D.C.: Our slogan cost the taxpayers $150,000!

  7. nomad March 26, 2007 at 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.

  8. Dirk W. Sabin March 26, 2007 at 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.

  9. Annie March 26, 2007 at 9:46 am #

    Cheat & Deceit Capital of the World

  10. Lawhobbit March 26, 2007 at 9:54 am #

    I’d vote for the Brian Wilson one:

    “A perfectly good swamp turned into a sewer.”

  11. klyde March 26, 2007 at 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.

  12. Jim March 26, 2007 at 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.

  13. Ike Hall March 26, 2007 at 12:21 pm #

    “Mordor-on-the-Potomac”

  14. Ike Hall March 26, 2007 at 12:25 pm #

    Heh. “Where it’s always 1984” was a good one. How about “Where unarmed citizens make compliant subjects”

  15. Mike Smith March 26, 2007 at 2:12 pm #

    Her’s a slogan…

    “I did not have sex with that woman.”

  16. Bill B. March 26, 2007 at 3:07 pm #

    War is Peace
    Freedom is Slavery
    Ignorance is Strength

  17. Vic Anderson March 26, 2007 at 3:17 pm #

    Washington, District of Columbine.

  18. Alexander A.I. March 26, 2007 at 4:12 pm #

    “Waste not, want not. NOT!” 😉

  19. Scott Graves March 26, 2007 at 5:37 pm #

    “Never before have so many done so little for so few for so much.”

  20. TPL March 26, 2007 at 6:32 pm #

    DC: Drive-by and C
    DC: Free toe-tag with every visit
    Darfur on the Potomac

  21. TPL March 26, 2007 at 6:45 pm #

    Washington D.C.: Bill of Rights Free Zone

  22. Tom Blanton March 26, 2007 at 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!

  23. Jim March 26, 2007 at 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.

  24. Windy March 27, 2007 at 12:30 am #

    DC: Come visit your tax dollars before they disappear into some officials’ pockets.

  25. James March 27, 2007 at 1:02 am #

    DC: Death Cult

  26. Basil March 27, 2007 at 4:52 am #

    That’s simple. The Eagle’s Nest.

  27. HaroldC March 27, 2007 at 6:03 am #

    DC! Where sh*t happens!

  28. TPL March 27, 2007 at 6:03 am #

    Washington D.C.: We’ll Catch Your Smiles (on Red-Light Cameras)

  29. joh dente March 27, 2007 at 6:59 am #

    “The Lies Start Here”

  30. Alpowolf March 27, 2007 at 11:46 am #

    Washington D.C.:Our Buses Are A Big Hit

  31. Alpowolf March 27, 2007 at 11:51 am #

    Or: “So Bad It Makes Sanjaya Sound Good”

  32. Jim March 27, 2007 at 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.

  33. Dan March 27, 2007 at 2:09 pm #

    D.C. — The New Green Zone!

  34. Alex March 27, 2007 at 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

  35. CFisher March 27, 2007 at 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)

  36. CFisher March 27, 2007 at 3:48 pm #

    **Sorry for the double post. Forgot one:

    Washington DC: You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villany

  37. Alex March 27, 2007 at 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

  38. ray March 27, 2007 at 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

  39. Tom Blanton March 27, 2007 at 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.

  40. Jim March 27, 2007 at 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.

  41. lone_striker March 28, 2007 at 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!

  42. Mace Price March 28, 2007 at 12:28 am #

    …Moto of Las Vegas: “What happens here, stays here.”

    …New Moto for DC: “What happens here, is monitored by video surveillance.”

  43. Randall V March 28, 2007 at 2:33 pm #

    Washington D.C. — “Welcome to the Theives’ Forest”

  44. Alex March 28, 2007 at 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?

  45. Jerimiah March 28, 2007 at 6:24 pm #

    Washington DC – Home Of The Liar’s Den

  46. Dave March 28, 2007 at 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?

  47. Jim March 28, 2007 at 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.

  48. 20th Century Foxx March 29, 2007 at 7:31 am #

    D.C. – Don’t Come.

    Washington, DC 2007 – It’s not just for Republicans anymore.

  49. Mace Price March 29, 2007 at 8:50 am #

    “–Bring ’em on!”

  50. ron March 29, 2007 at 11:21 am #

    Where Dreams and Memories Pave the Way

  51. Mace Price March 29, 2007 at 11:59 am #

    Inside The D.C. Beltway “Where you’ll say: It doesn’t get any better than this!”

  52. MQ March 29, 2007 at 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!

  53. Jim March 29, 2007 at 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.

  54. Vic Anderson March 30, 2007 at 2:30 pm #

    OK!
    Bush Warrin’ Policy Capital of the World.

  55. Mace Price March 30, 2007 at 4:12 pm #

    Washington DC: “Intrigue Wonderland”

  56. howard zien April 22, 2007 at 5:21 pm #

    DC- Direct Connect to History

  57. Thomas Mullins April 24, 2007 at 11:07 pm #

    “What happens there starts here”

    a good D.C. Slogan

  58. mike driscoll April 24, 2007 at 11:18 pm #

    THE PLACE TO BE,WASHINGTON D.C.

  59. Kristin April 24, 2007 at 11:47 pm #

    Reach for the Stars

  60. Kristin April 24, 2007 at 11:50 pm #

    Where the spirit of freedom thrives

  61. Kristin April 24, 2007 at 11:54 pm #

    DC-America’s Centerpiece

  62. Kristin April 25, 2007 at 12:00 am #

    Wake Up to the Extraordinary

  63. Kristin April 25, 2007 at 12:11 am #

    Live Our Legacy

  64. Kristin April 25, 2007 at 1:30 am #

    DC-Speaks to the Soul

  65. Rich Bund April 25, 2007 at 2:23 am #

    DC, Of The, For The, and By The People

  66. Rich Bund April 25, 2007 at 2:24 am #

    Washington DC… Not just any district!

  67. Rich Bund April 25, 2007 at 2:31 am #

    DC… Who’s district is it anyway?

  68. Rich Bund April 25, 2007 at 2:34 am #

    Visit Washington DC and have a capital time!

  69. Gary Michael April 25, 2007 at 8:06 am #

    See History Being Made Today

  70. Jean Blaylock April 25, 2007 at 10:30 am #

    MOTTO

    Your Buck Stops Here

    or

    Your Buck Stays Here

  71. Liz April 25, 2007 at 10:52 am #

    Washington DC: “Come visit your money.”
    Washington DC: “Your tax dollars hard at work! (said with straight face if possible)”

  72. Liz April 25, 2007 at 11:23 am #

    Sorry…forgot one.

    DC – Where they can make and take your money at the same time

  73. Kristin April 25, 2007 at 12:51 pm #

    DC-Live Our Legacy

  74. Mike April 25, 2007 at 5:03 pm #

    Washington D.C.- The focal point of the world.

  75. John Hadley April 25, 2007 at 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.

  76. Katie Harvey April 25, 2007 at 11:05 pm #

    “The Marble Column Capitol”
    Where Justice is a joke!!

  77. Joyce April 26, 2007 at 2:23 am #

    Come to Washington DC the seat of power and feel the energy.

  78. Eric April 26, 2007 at 5:56 am #

    “History in the making”

  79. Davita Simons April 26, 2007 at 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.

  80. Jim April 26, 2007 at 11:21 am #

    Hmmm….

    It appears that idealists have discovered this blog.

  81. Doris W April 27, 2007 at 4:37 pm #

    AC,DC it’s Electric!!!!!!!
    America’s Capitol, DC it’s Electrlc!!!!

  82. tony wheeler April 27, 2007 at 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.

  83. Liz May 16, 2007 at 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.

  84. Andrea Morrison May 26, 2007 at 6:16 pm #

    “Washigton D.C., an electrifing experience.”

  85. Charles Koontz, Sr. May 26, 2007 at 6:18 pm #

    How does this sound: Ah DC You look so good to me!

  86. Andrea Morrison May 26, 2007 at 6:21 pm #

    “Washington D.C, a Capitol idea!”

  87. Darrell Ree May 26, 2007 at 6:32 pm #

    Washington D.C. The Historical playground of the World

  88. mike fasone May 27, 2007 at 8:02 am #

    “where democracy speaks “

  89. J Holland May 27, 2007 at 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

  90. Bill Curtiw May 27, 2007 at 10:36 am #

    How about,

    DC The Heartbeat of America.

    Bill

  91. Sandra DEE May 27, 2007 at 11:17 am #

    Washington DC, where Dreams Come & Dreams Can!!!

  92. Mark W. Belbin May 27, 2007 at 12:47 pm #

    Washington DC, Heritage is our foundation

  93. Bill Cook May 28, 2007 at 6:45 am #

    Try this “Me and DC”

  94. mary t. mayville May 28, 2007 at 6:55 am #

    Washington,DC motto contest
    “Foundation of our Free Nation”

  95. Randy Richmond May 28, 2007 at 10:31 am #

    “Washington DC, Living History” I think this has a double meaning.

  96. Kelci May 28, 2007 at 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.

  97. Stacy McKain May 28, 2007 at 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

  98. CJ May 28, 2007 at 10:31 pm #

    1)Come See DC
    2)Do See DC
    3) DC A place of the American Experience

  99. Cathy Graupner May 28, 2007 at 11:55 pm #

    How about:
    Washington DC
    SEE it NOW!

  100. L..F.Varness May 29, 2007 at 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.

  101. John Broderick May 29, 2007 at 10:57 am #

    Where no citizen gets left behind!

  102. linda obrycki May 29, 2007 at 4:37 pm #

    WASHINGTON D.C. WERE HISTORY BECOMES ALIVE!!!!!! OR
    WASHINGTON D.C.ALIVE WITH HISTORY!!!!

  103. Ronnie Fender May 30, 2007 at 6:06 am #

    Washington D.C. – Where the World looks for leadership.

  104. Sandy Guthrie May 30, 2007 at 3:02 pm #

    DC – It’s everything you thought it’d be!

  105. donna May 30, 2007 at 7:48 pm #

    come and see the fun in washington D.C.

  106. Patricia Barboza May 31, 2007 at 6:13 pm #

    Washington D.C. –

    “Heartbeat of the Nation”

  107. Laurie Ellis June 1, 2007 at 11:15 am #

    Wonder Lust.
    DC – a must see

  108. Ronald Chew June 1, 2007 at 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

  109. Ronald Chew June 1, 2007 at 11:22 am #

    Correction on Slogan 5:

    Washington DC is the place to be

  110. Kari June 1, 2007 at 11:57 am #

    Washington, DC: For the People, by the People

  111. Connie Jones June 1, 2007 at 4:18 pm #

    I’d like to submit a slogan: D.C., See and Be a Part of History

  112. Gerald Brown June 5, 2007 at 11:43 pm #

    Slogan for Washington, D.C.: See Liberty and Justice on vacation.

  113. Helen L Butler June 13, 2007 at 8:33 pm #

    WASHINGTON, DC

    The HEART-string of AMERICA

  114. Bill P June 15, 2007 at 6:57 pm #

    My motto idea for Washington, D.C.:
    Washington, D.C., Democracy’s Cornerstone, or Cornerstone of Democracy.

  115. Carol in New Hampshire July 11, 2007 at 10:50 am #

    Washington DC: Why your vote counts!

  116. kat August 22, 2007 at 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”

  117. Linda Diane Oliver October 13, 2007 at 7:39 pm #

    Where the President presides
    Where Monuments are made

  118. smac07 June 26, 2008 at 8:47 pm #

    “DC, where the money goes”

  119. Mark Baxter February 21, 2009 at 11:18 am #

    Deficit Capitalism