Combined Net Worth of America's Richest Rises

[n2doc]

NEW YORK September 16, 2013 (AP)
By BREE FOWLER
AP Business Writer

Life is good for America's super wealthy.

Forbes on Monday released its annual list of the top 400 richest Americans. While most of the top names and rankings didn't change from a year ago, the majority of the elite club's members saw their fortunes grow over the past year, helped by strong stock and real estate markets.

"Basically, the mega rich are mega richer," said Forbes Senior Editor Kerry Dolan.

Dolan noted that list's minimum net income increased to a pre-financial crisis level of $1.3 billion, up from $1.1 billion in 2012, with 61 American billionaires not making the cut. "In some ways, it's harder to get on the list than it ever has been," she said.

Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates remains America's richest man, taking the top spot on the list for the 20th straight year, with a net worth of $72 billion, up from $66 billion a year ago.

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http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/gates-stays-atop-forbes-list-americas-richest-20266528

[Uncle Joe]

1. Thank God, I was worried about them; poor babies.

It's hard to make ends meet with just 1.1 billion, in net income, when you break it down, that's only 1,100 million and the dollar doesn't go as far as it used to.

Thanks for the thread, n2doc.

[n2doc]

2. Well, you know, the really sad thing is how hard it is to make the list!

Do you know how difficult it is to bribe enough CONgresspeople to increase your wealth 20% each year? And let's not even get into PACS....

[Uncle Joe]

3. Exactly and as I edited on my previous post, the dollar just doesn't go as far as it used to. n/t

[Initech]

4. The "taker class" are the real problem in our society.

[progressoid]

5. See? The recovery is working!