[mcmama]

I think NJ is the capital of corruption in politics. Statewide we have BILLIONS of dollars missing from the McGreevey Schools Construction Corp. This was supposed to fund construction of new schools in poor districts per the Abbot Decision. Instead, the money was wasted on construction cronyism, and buying toxic cleanup sites to build the schools on - thereby giving public money to certain "friends" and ignoring the rules for the sake of convenience. An audit by the Corzine administration (who owe a lot to the powerful democrats who supported McGreevey) has really been inconclusive as to where the money went, only shows that BILLIONS are MISSING. Some of the schools have been built and then torn down because of the toxic issues - more waste.

NJ is very big on home rule. This is why you have powerful political fiefdoms in areas that are maybe 3 or 4 miles square, with their own school system, fire department, police department, library, garbage, etc. Used to be that individuals ran for council to serve the town, (or serve themselves) and the political parties helped. Increasingly, the town governments serve the interests of political parties, with contracts, favors, dual offices, dual jobs.

Many New Jerseyans support stem cell research, but we did not vote bonds to support it. We do not trust our politicians with debt, even if it is for something we think is good.

Years ago, I would have thought that a guy like this was just a nutty gadfly. But given the level of mistrust in all levels of government, I really wonder if what his town did to him is an abuse of power to silence a pesky opponent.

Is it this bad where you live? Or are we just special?

[mcmama]

Here's another example of New Jersey Pay to Play corruption.

[twinzplus3]

You have to ask if it's the capital of corruption? I thought it was a given.

[QueenAngie]

Hate to break the news, but it 'aint just in Jersey!'

Come to Chicago any day.

[mcmama]

I lived near Chicago once. I remember an election back in the 70s where someone I knew who was a registered republican was part of the precinct group that counted the votes. His count didn't agree with everyone elses.

They made sure he stayed there until his count did agree with what they wanted.

The republicans were just as bad. One year they realized that there were too many students in one area and that they likely would lose there. So they changed the voting place from a large auditorium to a basement hidden in an alley.

Recently one of the local papers went after local governments in NJ to get access to public information about salaries, etc. In this digital age where so much is available online, Jersey is deliberately way behind. Oh, they would need time to produce those records, and have to delete employees personal info like ss numbers, for a fee of course. It's a legitimate excuse for an earlier era, but not for today.

[mcmama]

Here's another example of how they just won't quit picking pockets:
http://www.bergenhomesale.com/blog_post.asp?post=6500

There is a proposed increase in the realty transfer fee for LOCAL governments. This is like a sales tax on the sale of houses. We already have one for the state, and it keeps getting higher every year.

We already have the highest property taxes in the USA.

You could feed an entire developing nation on what New Jersey wastes every year.