The 400 wealthiest families in the U.S. aren’t just filthy rich,
they are downright dirty. Collectively, these households own $1.37 trillion
dollars; a number so high that it’s nearly impossible to comprehend[3].
Here are 11 shocking things $1.37 trillion can buy that you can’t:
The richest 400 households can pay off every student loan[4] for
every single student in the entire United States. No more paying for
an education, so that you can get a good job so that you can… well, pay off
your education.
The richest 400 can pay off all credit card debt[8] for
every single person in the entire United States. Imagine that! No
more credit card debt looming over your shoulders!
The richest 400 households can afford to triple the number of teachers in
the United States[11], then give every single one a $30,000 raise.
Teachers are being laid off everywhere, their salaries are being cut, and they
are suffering. Teacher-to-student ratios in schools are abysmal. But what can
we do about it when so much wealth is in the pockets of so few families?
The richest 400 families alone could replace 70% of all money lost
in the Great Recession[12], for everyone! How much money did you,
your parents, or grandparents lose in the Great Recession of 2008? 30%, 50% of
your portfolio? Not only do the rich still have enough money to fund their
wildest dreams, but they can also fund your retirements.
