The richest 225 people in the world have more wealth than nearly 50 percent of the planet put together. Quite a bold fact, but a true one says the UN “Human Development Report.” It goes on to say that there are 15 individuals in the world who are worth more than the whole of sub-Sahara Africa - some 600 million people.

But the best is yet to come, the world’s three richest people are: Bill Gates of Microsoft computers worth $51 billion, The Walton family of WalMart stores in the US, worth $48 billion and Warren Buffet, a US investor, worth $33 billion. These three individuals have more money than the total wealth of the 48 poorest countries in the world. No shit.

The UN estimates that the cost of paying for basic education, health care and safe water supplies for the 4.4 billion people who lack basic sanitation would be around $40 billion. That means Bill Gates could pay for it all and still be a billionaire ten times over afterwards. If Bill Gates is not feeling generous, maybe the richest 225 people in the world would be prepared to club together to pay for these basic amenities. It would amount to less than 4 percent of their combined wealth. Think about it.

((c) 1998 United Nations Human Development Report)