Official state slogan of New Jersey is not the state’s motto

The state of New Jersey made it official back in 2017 under the Christie Administration.  That's when the then Gov. Chris Christie signed a pair of bills naming the "Garden State" as the official state "slogan."

Some folks who were around in the 1980s remember the very popular advertising slogan, "New Jersey and You Perfect Together". Then-Gov. Tom Kean used it in TV commercials for a few years.

When the powers that be decided that was overused or dated, they looked for other sayings or slogans. Nothing really stuck.

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But the state motto is something different. It's on our state flag and reads, "Liberty and Prosperity." That became the state motto in 1777. Yes, not 1997, not 27 years ago, 227 years ago.

Back then I'm sure New Jersey was a bastion of liberty and prosperity. However, in the subsequent centuries of awful politicians and overreaching state governments that motto is a joke. It's the opposite of what this state offers.

But the state offers a lot more than its government allows. From its amazing geography to our incredible food to the amazing people who live here, New Jersey is a great place to live and visit. That's if you can afford it.

The state slogan, "Liberty and Prosperity" is bogus, so is there one phrase that encapsulates what New Jersey is really all about? We asked our listeners and there was no shortage of suggestions.

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Dennis Malloy only.

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