Forbes 400 for 2006, $1B needed to make the list

Sure networth and stuff is good. I would love to make this list. But, what I want to know is whats the average age of these people? Looking like 80+

 

eh, petty cash

 

damn.. missed it by a mill.

 

You would think with all that money theyd have sweeter cars.

 

I dindt know illich was worth that much i thought devos was the richest person in MI

 

They have some nice Jets and Yachts/Ships that make up for it........

 

The top 10 listed there I think the oldest is Ellison at 65ish.

 

Damn..missed it by a billion.

 

Isn't Buffett 150 years old or something?

 

I completely forgot about him. Don't ask why.

 

Buffett's in his 70's.

 

Shouldn't have bought the 348.

 

ROFLMFAO!

I actually like the fact that #1 and #2 are going to give most of their fortune to good causes. That's pretty sweet.

 

WTF could you even do with a billion


"The collective net worth of the nation’s wealthiest climbed $120 billion, to $1.25 trillion."

That is just insane given the fact people are dieing and starving and whatever else is going on in the world.

 

The really insane part of that is the people who run the country's where people are dying and starving are syphoning off the money the "civilised" country's are donating!

 

Well, since you asked. Our local billionare employees close to 70,000 people. In the last 30 years he's grown his company over 100 fold creating enormous wealth for not only himself but for tens of thousands locally. He's benefited the community, the arts and the state(through tax revenue) more than all other major contributors in the state COMBINED. Personally and through a variety of foundations he distributes/funds worthy causes to the estimated tune of over $30MM a year. So...what can you do with a billion dollars? In short, just by becoming a billionare you can effect positive change on nearly every level of your community.

I fail to see how the two are related?

 

First off, someone is "worth" a Billion. It's not like they have a billion dollars (in general) sitting in a safe in a bank. It's all in stock, funds, assets.

Second off, Gates, Buffett are leading the way by giving away billions. And they are making decisions that I think lead to some incredible things. You do have a few "scumbags" that are wealthy, but they are a small minority.

Thirdly, why is it the fault of these people who took a risk, worked hard as hell for their entire lives, and made it financially successful for the starving, death, and "whatever else" (and in a country they don't even live in)? They are just taking advantage of the free-market economy of our country. Honestly, in my view, they are the greatest assets (in general) to our society. They create wealth, tax revenue to support our social agenda, jobs, and the services, innovations, and products we want (like exotic cars )?

 

It is great to live in America!!!!

In a capitalist economy there is no reason for someone to be starving. Actually didn't a stud come out recently that said there is a larger percentage of people that live in poverty that are obese vs. those that are considered wealthy? Hmmm?

Matt

 

Several factors. Many poor are obese because they have:

1. Lack of education about maintaining health
2. Less money to spend on healthcare
3. Less money to spend on quality food. Cheap processed and fast food ain't good for you!
4. Common psychological factors that can be related to both lack of wealth and poor health.

 

I'm really looking forward to being able to answer that question first hand...

 

with a billion dollars, i would definitely treat myself to a few things, but there are so many people out there, so many good causes that could use that money more than any one person could. it definitely makes me feel good knowing that the 2 wealthiest people in the world are inflicting so many good things with their money, goes to show that there is more to life than being able to say my yacht is bigger than yours. (feel free to replace the noun if you are below the 100 million dollar mark, ) maybe you'll see me on the list next year, i might ask everyone to donate 10 dollars, and with 250 some odd million people in america, that would put me in the top 350 at least. food for thought....

 

Or it could be they take no self responsibility for themselves?

Unless the person has some sort of mental condition, everyone is where they are in their lives b/c of the choices they have made. The good thing about this is if they are unhappy about where they are they can start making better decisions.

Matt

 

Don't you sell exotic cars to wealthy people? How many of them get this speech?

 

Mike Illitch is worth a ton. Count the pizza as his pocket money now (I mean come on the pizzas are five freaking bucks). He owns the Tigers as well as the Red Wings. Owning a sports team in a major market city is worth a butt load of cash. Look at what it cost to put together Comerica Park...something like a $330,000,000.00 building, that alone gets him a third of the way there. With the Tigers turining it around recently, watch out for next year.

DeVos is loaded too, but he splits Amway with the VanAndal family so that moves in on his action.