NJ: Are you independent or co-dependent?

Yesterday, I highlighted results from a poll out of Rutgers that revealed one of the many paradoxes that results from the ideology of the duopoly: "Daggett's Challenge: New Jersey Voters Say They Want Choices but Still Support Major Party Candidates." I asked: "Why do voters continue to throw their votes away in support of Democrats and Republicans knowing full well that the Democratic-Republican duopoly system of government does not "work well," if at all, one might add?" At NJ.com, Kevin Manahan attempts a psychological explanation:

For years, the Angry Jerseyans have been fuming. They march on Trenton, rant to their neighbors, fire off scathing e-mails to elected officials and vent on talk radio in one big pity party. And lately, instead of throwing fits, they’re throwing tea parties. Instead, they should be throwing incumbents, present governor included, under the bus. But they probably won't . . .

The Angry Jerseyans . . . embrace their rage. It’s who they are. And it seems they don’t want to make that anger go away. What would they do if they couldn’t complain about living in New Jersey and constantly threaten to leave? . . .

For the past two decades, the message of the Angry Jerseyans has been the same: The two-party system is broken and corrupt and manipulated by party bosses and special interests. Taxes are out of control . . .

"We need an independent candidate to save us!" the masses shouted as they scanned the political horizon for a savior. This year, a year like no other in New Jersey politics, Daggett fell into their laps . . .

In the end, the Angry Jerseyans could lose again if Corzine wins. But that means they’ll keep their pain. And, of course, they’ll blame it all on the media. On election day, I’ll vote for Daggett, and I won’t worry about whether he has a chance to win because I agree with our editorial: "New Jersey needs radical change in Trenton" and "Neither of the major parties is likely to provide it."