Statistics know everything

For example, that almost half of Russians do not want Americans to invest money in the development of their region, territory or republic. According to the Public Opinion Foundation, 46% of respondents are categorically against the presence of American capital in their region. The reasons for hostility towards overseas investors are quite varied. 41% of opponents of American monetary expansion are afraid of complete economic dependence on America. 17% explain their position by not wanting the United States to benefit from investing its money in Russia. 11% experience anti-American sentiments and distrust of the West in general, fearing everything foreign, including money. And 24% are generally convinced that Russia should live relying solely on its own strength.
About how, “relying on one’s own strength,” to raise the domestic economy, see the “Pedestal” section, page 37.

Or, for example, that out of 170 thousand employees of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties, only 58% have higher education. And only 73% of them received specialized education. The All-Russian Tax Academy, created three years ago, cannot yet meet the needs of the ministry in training competent tax specialists, of whom 17-18 thousand people are required per year. In order to fill the shortage of trained tax specialists, the Ministry of Education signed an order to introduce a new specialty - "Taxes and Taxation" - into the curricula and programs of a number of higher educational institutions. Starting this year, a new specialty, consisting of 40% legal, 40% economic, 10% tax and another 10% psychological disciplines, will be introduced at universities in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara, Kazan, Omsk and Vladivostok .
About what surprises the half-educated tax specialists have prepared for us, see the “Good/Bad News” section, page 6.

Or, for example, that the British royal family's expenses for maintaining palaces and transport have decreased over the past year by more than 5 million pounds sterling - to 28.6 million. The main savings in transport costs were achieved by replacing two helicopters with one that will be serviced technical staff of the yard itself. In addition, members of the royal family are now making fewer trips on the special royal train. The cost of maintaining the eight palaces that are at the disposal of the Queen and members of her family has been reduced by £600,000. In particular, electricity costs decreased by 36.8%, and gas costs by 29.7%.
In Russia there is no royal family or royal court, but we also know how to live in grand style. More about this in the “Auction” section, page 58.

Or, for example, that the best means of protection against a lightning strike is a car. But only on condition that the windows and doors of the car are tightly closed and passengers do not touch metal objects. If a thunderstorm takes you by surprise and there are no cars nearby, Finnish thunderstorm expert Tapio Tomi advises standing with your feet together and your head down. At home, according to Finnish scientists, it is necessary to have a lightning rod installed near the chimney, since electrically conductive soot is a convenient channel for the penetration of a discharge into the house. It is also recommended to unplug electrical appliances and refrain from talking on the phone: your “hello” may “receive the last answer in your life from heaven.”
For information on how to protect your property from natural disasters, fires and thefts, see the “Personal Property Insurance” appendix, page 29.

Magazine "Kommersant Money" No. 27 dated July 14, 1999, p. 62