Bribing the voters of New Jersey

The New York Post report:

With just two days to go, the New Jersey gubernatorial election has turned into a horse race among three candidates, a remarkable development considering that the incumbent, Democrat Jon Corzine, has huge unfavorable ratings. As one radio talk-show host put it: “Who is voting for Corzine?”

The answer is simple: people who benefit from big government. In a high-tax, big-spending place like Jersey, much of the burden of funding government falls on a narrow slice of residents who pay steeply progressive taxes, while the benefits of expanding government are enjoyed by those who receive more in services than they pay in taxes, or those who work for the government.

Even a candidate like Corzine, with high unfavorables and a tax-and-spend record, can count on support from about 40% of the electorate. That’s a pretty good starting point, especially when the anti-tax crowd divides its vote among two other candidates — in this case, Republican Chris Christie and Independent Chris Daggett.

To understand how voting patterns work, look at who pays for government in Jersey, and who benefits. The state has one of the most progressive income tax structures, so that residents earning more than $250,000 in 2007 (the last year data are available) constituted just 3.9% of all households but paid 59% of state income taxes. And these folks will pay an even bigger share of the burden this year because Corzine raised their tax rates and cut some of their deductions.

You'll want to read this excellent article. Another great one from Steven Malanga.