#1 drug kingpin is a Forbe's billionaire

While economics dip and dive (and bounce on a good day) even billionaires from Russian oligarch like Roman Abramovich to Mexican businessman Carlos Slim---who for a spell topped Forbes Magazine's wealthiest list but is again ranked third---notice the difference. For one thing, there's more dancing room in the gilded ballroom. According to the magazine the 2009 roll is shorter by 23% compared to last year's.







Speaking of Mexico, Forbes, with its hardworking investigators and sleeping ethicists, listed as one of the newest nueavu riche Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman with a net worth estimated at $12 billion. El Chapo also 'happens' to head the Sinaloa cartel and controls half of the $30+ billion in drug shipments to America.

Sí, Mr Guzman is the most wanted narcotraficante in Mexico! Apparently this slips the radar of the Mexican federal government---as most important things do.

But, to his credit, Presidente Calderón is seriously trying to combat the problem that threatens to devolve Mexico into a bona fide narco state.


Still, the richest of the world are still rich and, so, I can hardly feel their pain. As most can hardly imagine, let alone feel, mine.