Andy Rooney Reviews The Forbes 400 List

We're always reading about the poor and the jobless, but every once in a while it's nice to read about people who have all the money they need. Or more than they need, really.

Every year Forbes Magazine comes out with a list of the 400 richest people in the United States. I notice my name isn't on it again this year.

Years ago Sam Walton of Walmart had $4.5 billion and he was the richest person in the U.S. but today the richest person is Bill Gates. Bill has $50 billion, even though he lost $7 billion in the recession recently. Then comes Warren Buffet at $40 billion and Lawrence Ellison with $27 billion. I don't know Lawrence Ellison personally - as a matter of fact, I never heard of Lawrence Ellison, before. Sam Walton's heirs are now 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th richest. They ought to pool their money so they could be number 1.

Whatever happened to the Rockefellers, anyway? They were richest when I was a kid.

I've often wondered at what point spending money no longer is any fun for a rich person.

If I buy a suit, a tank of gas or a quart of milk, I'm actually aware of how much I'm taking out of my pocket to give to someone else. I wonder if a billionaire is bothered by spending $250 for a suit when a suit in the next rack is only $90?

I have a comfortable amount of money now but there was a time in my life when I didn't so I know what having money is like and I know what not having enough is like. Having more money than I actually need makes me uneasy though. I'm uncomfortable having quite a bit when some people don't have enough.

Next year I plan to look at Forbes Magazine richest list just to make sure I'm not on it. I've got enough to worry about.
Written by Andy Rooney