Loose cannons

Different

"The super-rich — those with a net worth of more than $10 million — are different from the merely rich, a new study released this week shows... In the next 12 months, the study shows: 60 percent [of the super-rich] will host a party for at least 25 people at a hotel or resort; 24 percent will spend more than $100,000 on business gifts; and 49 percent will spend more than $25,000 on leisure travel." — Palm Beach Post, Florida, January 30.

Rentiers' safety net

"'People in the lower net worth group have a weaker safety net', said Palm Beach accountant Richard Rampell, whose clientele includes the merely rich as well as the super-rich. 'Most of their income comes from salaries or bonuses, or, if they own businesses, they are dependent on business income.' The $10 million-plus group, on the other hand, gets its income primarily from investments, Rampell said. 'These people are less susceptible to serious dents in their income stream'. — Palm Beach Post, January 30.

Booming economy

"A record 1.6 million people filed for personal bankruptcy in the 12 months that ended Sept. 30... From 1993 through 2002, bankruptcy filings jumped 93 percent, to 1.57 million... The surge has made bankruptcy a huge business for lawyers and debt-counseling services." — Baltimore Sun, February 8

One-track mind

"I'm a war president. I make decisions here in the Oval Office in foreign policy matters with war on my mind." — Emperor George Bush II, February 8.

News to Halliburton

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"War is not conducive to — for investment." — Emperor Bush, February 9.

Ladder of opportunity

"Federal Opposition Leader Mark Latham is pushing ahead with

proposals to cut taxes for high-income earners... including reducing the top income tax rate to 35› in the dollar." — Australian Financial Review, February 12.

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From Green Left Weekly, February 18, 2004.

Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

From GLW issue 571