Comments 1 - 3 of 3 Search these comments
14. At the height of his success, Andrew Carnegie's annual income was 20,000 times the average American's wage, according to historian Frederick Lewis Allen. That's the equivalent of about $720 million in today's economy. In 2010, hedge fund manager John Paulson earned $4.9 billion, or nearly seven times what Carnegie earned in his prime. The key difference: Carnegie made steel to construct buildings. Paulson bought derivatives to bet against them.
Then again, John Paulson didn't hire Pinkerton thugs to beat up his employees...
Another amazing fact:
58. Five years ago, coal provided about half the nation's electricity. Today, it's about one-third. Natural gas' share during that time rose from 21% to 30%, according to the Energy Information Agency.
Remember 5 years ago when we were worried about running out of natural gas in North America?
I've got to say, Fact #14 is the most telling.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2012/07/17/100-mind-blowing-facts-about-the-economy-.aspx?source=ihpsitota0000001&lidx=2