It never occurred to me to attempt an interpretation. I thought of that referenced dream as a semi-literal event.

Now that you've got me thinking in terms of interpretations, it's pretty easy. Here's the obvious interpretation:

The chair-lift - it's a position that provides one with mobility to the top. Riding the lift is probably voluntary.

The skiis - vehicle(s) for a rapid, but, more or less, controlled descent. Wearing them is probably voluntary and their presence is within the awareness of the wearer.

Skiis may also have something to do with that Feet-of-Clay-Daniel-Vision-Thing that has become part of Western culture's vocabulary of political critique. The wearer knows he won't be able to stay at the top, but it'll be fun coming down.

Falling off - it's unexpected and frightening. An uncontrolled, rapid descent. Skiis are a hindrance here, and add to faller's confusion.

Snow and ice - dunno.

If the U.S. population is around 248 million people, that'll be about $1.00 per person. A govt. program or subsidy that costs a dollar a person is going exist well below the radar of most watchdog groups.

So, the GW in the dream is taking a voluntary ride to the top, occupying a seat (throne, seat of power(?), chairmanship, etc.) that will take him there. He knows he can't stay there, so he's planned for his eventual descent to be as controlled and pleasant as possible. GW never makes it to the zenith, he somehow tumbles from his ascent before reaching his goal. His plans for a controlled, enjoyable descent make his fall worse. GW is injured, but not fatally. He is carried away by maybe ambulance workers. His fall and injuries will provide the motivation to fund a project that worries him.

How's that?

Still, I'm thinking my source may need to lay off the spicy Mexican food after the eleventh hour.

Monke

: The only problem with dreams is that we have to interpret them
: with our conscious minds when they are from our own & the
: collective unconscious.