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Part of the problem represents those New York emigres.

They brought with them the belief that government has a responsibility to provide those services New Yorker City folks consider so very essential to their survival - and older New Jersey residents got along without just fine for generations.

These people scream about the high cost of government but would be the first to complain if little Jimmy or Susie had to walk several blocks to school or to a bus stop, instead of getting picked up right at home, or if they didn't have all kinds of activities after school so both parents could pursue "careers" instead of assuming the responsibilities of parenthood (just one example).

Also there are the two biggest blood-suckers in the civil service world - the Law Enforcement Unions and the Teachers Union.

There are probably more Cops per square mile in Jersey than anywhere since Hitler's Germany: municipal cops, County cops, park police, County police, sheriff's officers, state police, and institutional police. many, if not all of these units' members can retire after 20 years of service at something like 60% of their salary and perks and benies which would make your head spin. If they hang in there a few more years, they can even get 75% of their base salary. THEN they retire and get ANOTHER civil service job covered by another union in the law-enforcement area, which allows them to double-dip at public expense. Unlike ordinary civil servants, the Cops can retire on a retirement based on the last year's EARNED INCOME, not salary. SO in the last year of employment, it is common practice for Jersey Cops to scoff up as much overtime as possible to boost their pensions.

The teachers can retire at 55 with similar perks and benefits and don't even pay into their health benefit program.

ALL civil service positions in New Jersey allow their employees to retire with paid sick leave for a certain percentage of their accrued unused sick time.

IN ADDITION, in New Jersey, it is common practice for well-connected elected officials who draw a minimal salary as part-time "employees" as elected officials, to get appointed to one of the many lucrative commissions and committees which exist at fantastic salaries which, using the retirement formula of the highest paid years of service times the total years of service, they are able to "retire" with substantial benefits, far beyond anything the average civil service clerk could ever obtain. Additionally, the experience of these individuals for the appointment plums they receive is often minimal to none.

Sheep are meant to be sheared.