Comments: 400 = Brazil's 200 Million
The most interesting, and I think most important thing about this list is how many of these fortunes were amassed by the people on the list themselves, or by their fathers.
This is not inherited, aristocratic wealth. This is money made by entrepreneurs who in the course of making these fortunes have made many, many other people prosperous and even rich.
The US economy is still an open field in which new ideas, new products, and new methods can thrive.
Posted by Punditarian at October 1, 2014 4:01 AM
When one thinks about that kind of money at first the idea is I can do what ever I want. But you can't.
How much money do you really need? How much can you really spend? Most of us having $50,000/year to use would be quite happy since there is an upper limit to 'doing' things.
If that isn't true, examine those fools in Hollywood, with their wealth, drugged out and busy wrecking marriages, either theirs or someone else's.
How many houses can one live in at one time? Are you that bored that you need to move once a month?
Do you think you like to be Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton, Michael Phelps or that unmentionable little Canadian dork.
My life hasn't always been easy, some very rough patches frankly, but I wouldn't trade it off for money.
Posted by Vermont Woodchuck at October 1, 2014 4:21 AM
How many times have
You heard someone say
If I had his money
I could do things my way.
But little they know
That it's so hard to find
One rich man in ten
With a satisfied mind.
Once I was winning
In fortune and fame
Everything that I dreamed for
To get a start in life's game.
Then suddenly it happened
I lost every dime
But I'm richer by far
With a satisfied mind.
Money can't buy back
Your youth when you're old
Or a friend when you're lonely
Or a love that's grown cold.
The wealthiest person
Is a pauper at times
Compared to the man
With a satisfied mind.
When my life has ended
And my time has run out
My friends and my loved ones
I'll leave there's no doubt.
But one thing's for certain
When it comes my time
I'll leave this old world
With a satisfied mind.
"A Satisfied Mind"
(originally by Porter Wagoner.)
Posted by BillH at October 1, 2014 7:40 AM
The real lesson for our corn pone opinion should be this: confiscate all that accumulated wealth and you will have enough to keep Washington open for seven months, or to pay down a small fraction of it's debt. Then, what? No, Washington has it's eye on a bigger figure, the 18 trillion in private retirement accounts, which are making no interests because Washington is stealing that interest from savers in order to pay no interest on it's gigantic debt. And, golly, since savers are making no interest the government will put those accounts to better use and give you an interest bearing coupon, guaranteed by the full faith and credit of USG!
But Washington respects the wealthy, because they all expect to be part of that class in time.
Posted by james wilson at October 1, 2014 10:41 AM
If I had just 1 of those billions I'd do exactly what I am doing now, except I would do it better and more of it.
Posted by ghostsniper at October 1, 2014 7:34 PM