"The reality is that the persistent corruption problems in New Jersey have endured despite decades of criminal prosecutions and tearful public confessions because of a set of circumstances and institutional arrangements unique to the state. Taken together, these factors help ensure that no matter what politicians promise in Trenton, corruption in the Garden State will be hard to expunge." - rønin

Why are <insert state/country name here> politicians so corrupt? - cdogzilla | downgraded

It's a decent list. I think another factor is that regional party bosses are so powerful that politicians who do get elected have to be comfortable working within the patronage system. - John (bird whisperer)