Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Bill Gates Still World's Richest Man

In an announcement that surprised no one, Forbes magazine said Thursday that Bill Gates is the richest man in the world. Despite heavy competition, he is still a full eight billion dollars ahead of the nearest runner-up. Mr. Gates has a current estimated worth of around 50 billion U.S. dollars. He has more money than the world has people many times over.

Following him on the list is his bridge partner, famed investor Warren Buffett, coming in at 42$ billion, who has more money than the world has people as well. I wonder if these guys have a club they go to where they tape dollar bills to a globe and set them on fire while they laugh manically. I’d guess probably not.

There were 791 other souls on the Forbes list of the world’s billionaires. That is 102 more than we had at last count. Experts have cited soaring stocks, oil, and commodities prices for the rise in the ultra rich, while the average person has no idea what a commodity is. "The global economy has been growing the last two years at rates not seen since World War II, fuelled by a commodities boom with a whiff of inflation," chief executive and editor-in-chief Steve Forbes explains.

On the other end of the spectrum is Kyle, the guy who lives in my alley. He has no money whatsoever, but still finds a way to drink all day. I doubt he has ever had a real bath in his life, save when he was born. He sleeps between garbage cans, if you could call it sleep; it is more of a drunken stupor. He is the most broke man in the world followed closely by his friend “Al” who lives in another alley in a much better part of town, but likes to come visit from time to time.

Unfortunately, Forbes doesn’t make a broke list. That's because broke people are depressing and too real for comfort.

Shoutwire

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