In New Jersey, private-to-private takings have gotten out of hand, in part because of rampant use of kickbacks. Maybe we should call them kick-fronts.

Duncan Currie, writing at American.com, explains that many of New Jersey’s big redevelopment projects start with business donations to politicians. Companies in the Garden State get contracts with government — and thereby establish special relationships — based on their previous donations to politicians’ campaigns. It’s called the “pay-to-play” system.

Joan Verplanck, the head of New Jersey’s Chamber of Commerce, calls it the state’s “single biggest blight.”

I like her use of that word “blight.” That’s the word that gets used to justify taking property from some people to give to others.

How do you define urban blight? If you are in government, you have a simple measure. Property is blighted when it doesn’t give government enough money in taxes.

Before 1992, property in New Jersey had been said to be blighted when it was both “stagnant and unproductive.” Then the legislature changed the definition to mean “stagnant and not fully productive.” Most housing can qualify for that, just like the nice beachfront homes in Long Branch, New Jersey, threatened to be bulldozed to make room for condos and townhouses.

New Jersey needs to redefine blight again. And stop the blight of the “pay-to-play” system.

In other words, New Jersey citizens must find a way to limit their government. Otherwise, no home will be safe.

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.