Last Wednesday, Mayor Marty Small announced that Atlantic City government would give $10,000 “scholarships” to 58 graduating high school seniors who live in Atlantic City. The money will be paid to any college or vocational school they chose to attend. Winners need not show any financial need or academic achievement. They must only submit a two-page essay on the following subject:
“Tell us about a person, place, or experience in Atlantic City that has shaped who you are. How has that influence affected the choices you make and the person you hope to become?”
Click here or above image for a link to complete two-page form: 2025-2026-Mayor-Marty-Small-Sr-Scholarship-Application-FILLABLE.pdf
These 58 “scholarships” will cost $580,000. $520,000 will come from “The American Rescue Plan”. The other $60,000 will come from the “Community Development Block Grant” program of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) is a $1.9 trillion federal relief law, signed by Democratic President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021. Democrats claimed that this money was needed to counter “the economic and public‑health damage caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic.” Republicans never returned unused money to the treasury when the crisis ended one year later, and Republicans regained control of Congress. Atlantic City awarded one hundred $10,000 “scholarships” from “American Rescue Plan” funds each year in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That was a total of $3 million.
Atlantic City’s “Mayor Marty Small, Sr. Scholarship Program” is a perfect example of Vilfredo’s Pareto’s theory of “Political Economy.”
Click here for link to article we first posted in 2010: In 1906, Vilfredo Pareto Explained How “Political Economy” Corrupts Democracy. – Liberty and Prosperity
In 1906, Pareto claimed that democracies were unstable forms of government that were doomed to collapse from waste, fraud, and corruption in less than a hundred years. His theory of “Political Economy” was based on this observation:
Suppose that in a country of thirty million people, someone proposes a new law that would tax each citizen one dollar a year, and give that money to 30 selected families. Every year, each of the thirty million taxpayers would lose one dollar, while 30 selected families would each gain a million. The two groups would react very differently to this proposal.
The 30 families who would become millionaires would not rest by day or night. They would pay newspapers to support the new law, and drum up support from all quarters. They would give money to “friendly” politicians.
On the other hand, the thirty million other citizens would be much less active. A great deal of money is needed for an election campaign. It is impossible to collect a few cents from millions of taxpayers. A few people would have to make substantial contributions. But who would pay more money to stop a corrupt law, than he would pay if the law were passed?
When election day comes, similar difficulties arise. The 30 would-be millionaires would put campaign workers in every district to persuade voters that their modest plan is not only good and necessary, but patriotic as well! If necessary, they would lay out cash to get the votes needed. . .
In contrast, the voter who would lose only one dollar a year – even if he knows what is happening – would not bother to give up a picnic in the country, annoy useful or congenial friends, or get on the wrong side of government officials. The outcome is never in doubt: The 30 families who would get the $30 million dollars would win hands down!
Years later, conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh described Pareto’s “Political Economy” a different way.
Above Image: Conservative Radio Talk Show Host Rush Limbaugh (1951-2021)
In November of 2012, Rush Limbaugh explained that Barack Obama won the election because “You can’t beat Santa Claus.”
Democracy in America lasted far longer than Vilfredo Pareto predicted in 1906. That was because we had written constitutions that limited the power of government to take from some people and give to others. Those limitations gradually disappeared during the past hundred years.
Mayor Small’s “scholarships” are not the only examples of “political economy” in South Jersey. For years, Republican State Senator Vince Polistina has worked with Democrats to bring “Political Economy” throughout South Jersey. During his monthly appearance on the Harry Hurley radio program this morning, Polistina announced his support for the following programs:
Having “senior citizens” pay lower property taxes than others who own identical properties.
“Economic Development” programs that force everyone to pay higher taxes so a few selected businesses in the “South Jersey Aviation Park” by the Atlantic City airport pay lower taxes, low rent, and get low-cost or no-cost financing.
“Public Private Partnerships” including those with AtlantiCare and Stockton University.
Giving more than one million dollars to a private sports organization and promises to secure more state funding for it in the future.
Last month, I published my book 1676 Project: How New Jersey Shaped America.
It explains how New Jersey enjoyed spectacular success when its government had very limited powers. For nearly 300 years, New Jersey state and county government used its power only to protect lives and property, settle disputes, and build and maintain roads, bridges and other property that benefited all citizens.
During that time, New Jersey had no income tax, no sales tax, affordable property taxes, and the lowest gasoline prices in America.
During this time, New Jersey was one of the wealthiest states in America. There was little poverty and “boundless opportunities” for poor people to succeed and become wealthy.
All of that changed when New Jersey government began using its power to take money from some citizens and give it to others.
Our organization was created in 2003 to reject the “Political Economy” that is destroying our democracy. Each year we support key issues to promote a return to “Liberty and Prosperity.”
Last month, we agreed on these “Key Issues for 2026.”
- Deport illegal aliens.
- Restore legal immigration limits to 100,000 per year.
- Return to one Election Day with in-person voting and photo ID.
- Preserve, protect, and defend the U.S. Constitution according to its “original intent.”
- Apply all laws and tax rates equally to everyone.
- Protect the unborn with persuasion, not force.
- End hidden taxes on gas and electric bills.
- “Is Islam compatible with American Liberty and Prosperity?”
- Protect people and public space from repeat criminals and “the homeless.”
- End federal and state government mandates and grants (bribes) for local projects.
- Stop requiring college degrees for otherwise qualified applicants
Five of those Key Issues for 2026 directly address the problem of “Political Economy.”
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