Well as I read this all I had a thought about it all, the memory about a child hood game. King of the mountain.

the mountain he is trying to go u is the world and its political affairs, america once enjoyed beig the dominant country but lately she is slowly starting to loose her purchase, it is bushes goal to regain it. but istead of breaking out the muntain climbing gear, he has opted to use the easy way, the chair-lift, perhaps his chice selection of his cabinet and his fathers approval are represented some how by this.

But along his way he will encounter others trying to become king of the mountain, their way of going up is unknown to me, but something happens and bush falls from the lift.

the 248,000,000 (?) may not be money it costs us it could be lives, because he has failed it may cost america ts place and standing in the world. no longer the choicest place, etc.

the ski's might represent his swift departure from the hill when his time is up. he has anywheres from a day to 8 years to serve, and when that time is up, he is out of there rather rapidly.