# What should a new U.S. motto be? (instead of "In God We Trust") **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 4, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080 "2023-08-04T21:53:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/101 "2023-08-10T16:19:37Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > When the country is a laughingstock at best, and a sick joke at worst, your so-called “serious suggestions” seem rather hypocritical. A motto at this time in history is akin to putting a Barbie Band Aid on an amputated leg. If you don’t agree with the thread topic, you don’t have to post in the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/102 "2023-08-10T16:21:34Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I don’t think that’s a serious suggestion. > It’s a line from V for Vendetta. It’s also pretty long for a motto. But I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/103 "2023-08-10T23:29:52Z")
Yeah, a country that elected a fascist game show host is a joke and deserves a joke slogan to match. ---
**Author:** ![LoneRhino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lonerhino/32/1311_2.png) [@LoneRhino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LoneRhino)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2023, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/104 "2023-08-13T15:51:25Z")
Inna Gadda Da Vida ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2023, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/105 "2023-08-13T19:54:22Z")
Stuff’s getting better. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2023, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/106 "2023-08-13T20:43:10Z")
I don’t think it is possible to have the type of motto you seem to be wanting without looking incredibly hypocritical the rest of the world. None of the phrases you have approved of so far will do anything to boost moral or reputation unless they are _directly_ tied to significant action. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2023, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/107 "2023-08-13T21:47:57Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I don’t think it is possible to have the type of motto you seem to be wanting without looking incredibly hypocritical the rest of the world. Could _ **LOOK OUT FOR NUMBER ONE** _ work? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/108 "2023-08-13T21:55:28Z")
Which raises the question: > Should a motto (for any organization) reflect our highest aspirations, our basest desires, be an honest assessment of our current state, or be an honest assessment of our current trajectory? > > And who is the “we” in this case? The best Americans, the worst Americans, or the most powerful Americans? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2023, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/109 "2023-08-13T22:25:47Z")
Build A Better Mousetrap? ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/110 "2023-08-14T00:40:23Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > without looking incredibly hypocritical the rest of the world. Que sera,sera. If it contributes to the US feeling better about itself, then I’m all for it. When the US isn’t feeling collectively chipper you have a nasty habit of kicking the fuck out of somebody else merely to redress the angst. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/111 "2023-08-14T00:49:45Z")
And that fine post inspires me to write just the motto the esteemed @Czarcasm seems to want: > Bullies gonna bully Which in fact hits rather closer to home than I (and much of the rest of the world no doubt) wishes it did. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/112 "2023-08-14T03:25:55Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Which raises the question: > > > Should a motto (for any organization) reflect our highest aspirations, our basest desires, be an honest assessment of our current state, or be an honest assessment of our current trajectory? > > > > And who is the “we” in this case? The best Americans, the worst Americans, or the most powerful Americans? So who wrote that? By the way, I was wondering if other countries have mottoes, and what do you know, Wikipedia has a list of national mottoes. The list includes pretty much all countries, even ones that don’t have an official motto (of which there are many). Canada’s is blamelessly descriptive: “From Sea to Sea.” Indonesia is clearly aspirational and not descriptive: “Unity in Diversity.” It’s an interesting read. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/113 "2023-08-14T05:18:25Z")
I’m fond of Wales’s, which is from a medieval poem alluding to “the penis of a copulating bull.” [Flag of Wales - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Wales) (Under “modern flag.”) ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/114 "2023-08-14T12:13:12Z")
All the best mottos are in Latin. Non in diam\* \*Not in my backyard, according to Google translate. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/115 "2023-08-14T12:21:16Z")
inter saxum et locum durum sumus ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/116 "2023-08-14T14:49:43Z")
Not even close, but I suppose an erroneous motto based on google translate would be appropriate for where we are. “Diam” means “divine.” As far as I know, the romans didn’t have backyards. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/117 "2023-08-14T16:37:09Z")
> [@solost](#): > > War is peace > Freedom is slavery > Ignorance is strength. Time is money Money is power Power is pizza Pizza is knowledge - April Ludgate. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/118 "2023-08-14T18:24:06Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > > [@solost](#): > > > > War is peace > > Freedom is slavery > > Ignorance is strength. > > Time is money > Money is power > Power is pizza > Pizza is knowledge [What is time again?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Moh7DXMk8g) ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/119 "2023-08-14T19:30:18Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Not even close, Darn. Google is usually pretty close. “Not in my backyard” is still a good choice for a new US motto. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080/120 "2023-08-14T20:04:09Z")
Love your country always And your government when it deserves it [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-new-u-s-motto-be-instead-of-in-god-we-trust/988080.md?page=7)