Repainting New Jersey's "Corrupt" Landscape
Posted August 14, 2009

A few weeks ago, our state's collective attention was once again riveted to television sets and newspapers by reports of a major government and political corruption bust, this one involving dozens of public officials, political figures, and private power players. By the time the frenzy calmed, we'd heard tales of money laundering, human organ sales, and personal ambition run amuck.

Unfortunately, shots of public leaders being led off in handcuffs has become all too common in the Garden State - to the point that most of us are no longer shocked and many of us not even phased when such "breaking news" crosses the airwaves. In fact, we've come to view corruption as simply "the way things are." Not only has this tainted our view of government but it has also become a roadblock in the path towards effecting real change.

Let me explain.

According to a recent Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll, 65% of New Jerseyans believe our state is home to "a lot" of corruption. This is a drastic increase from just 5 years ago, when the number stood at 34%.  Moreover, today only 27% think highly enough of state government to give it an "excellent" or "good" rating, a drop of 12% since 2004.

Equally disturbing is the fact that 63% of those polled believe "most of their state legislators look out for their own financial interests rather than the public good." This marks a 15% increase from six years ago. And when it comes to residents' views of their mayors, the situation is better but still disturbing, with 51% believing most mayors are primarily concerned with their own financial aims.

While many might say these sentiments are only natural given the slew of scandals, arrests, indictments, and resignations making headlines in recent years - and, indeed, this would be a valid point - the unfortunate result is a populace very cynical about public service in general.

For example, the poll reports that while 50% view political and governmental involvement as "honorable," a full 40% perceive it as "a dirty business." This represents an 8% increase in the negative view of government within the last year.

The truth, however, is that unless men and women of integrity step out and step into the public policy sphere - whether it be through running for office, becoming active and proactive supporters of legislative causes and initiatives, or serving in any one of numerous support capacities for upright political, legislative, and policy leaders - we are essentially handing over this entire arena to those who do not value honor, integrity, and duty over personal aggrandizement.

As Edmund Burke so accurately noted, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

The good news is that it's not too late for New Jersey. This is supported by the fact that 78% of the poll's respondents believe New Jersey's corrupt tendencies can, indeed, be changed for the better!

We still have the opportunity to repaint our political landscape.

But to do so, we must decide now - today - to reject our shells of complacency and become active, informed, and engaged citizens.

The future of our state is not in the hands of our elected officials. It is in our hands. And it's entirely up to us how we will shape it.

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