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Keller @ Large: We Are A Culture Of Complainers

BOSTON (CBS) - It's welcome news that the new state tourism chief wants to change our state slogan.

"It's All Here" is well-meaning, but doesn't quite sing the way some competing state slogans do, like "I Love NY" or "Maine: The Way Life Should Be."

"'It's all here' could be anywhere," says Rich Doucette of the Office of Travel and Tourism. "I'd like to come up with a slogan that people know instantly is Massachusetts."

Massachusetts State Slogan
(WBZ-TV)

Many of you immediately stepped forward to help.

Here are some of the suggestions that poured into CBS Boston's Facebook page – imagine these on a bumper sticker:

"Welcome to Massachusetts where you make more money on unemployment than being employed…We have two seasons, winter and road repair… Great place to visit, but chances are you can't afford to live here…30% less corrupt than Rhode Island…We love working for nothing!...We can be bought...We've never met a tax we didn't like…The parking ticket hub of the universe… [and] We don't care and it shows."

There were some serious, positive ideas showcasing our history and irrepressible spirit. But these were far outnumbered by the frustration and cynicism I just quoted.

Why?

It's true, we are a culture of complainers. And we have good reason, most of the time, despite the happy face our political and cultural elites like to paint over reality with.

But when the snow is gone and the weather is fine and you've finally paid off your taxes, this is still a pretty decent place to live.

Or, as another Facebook friend put it, this is "Massachusetts: where people love to complain about living here but refuse to go move elsewhere."

Listen to Jon's commentary:

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