Now imagine you're not a billionaire in your own Lear.
The Games are supposed to be a symbol of international spirit. How could America even hope to win them? You can't claim to be "exceptional" and above the rest of the community, then ask that same community for support.
America was tolerated before, because it had money. Now it has less money, and the cracks are beginning to show.
> "We see the games as an opportunity to return to being a friend to the world."
There's been a bully in the schoolyard all year, bigger than all the other boys; he's stolen your lunch money any number of times, given you a few black eyes and blood lips. In the last couple of weeks, a few other big guys transferred to the same school. The bullying suddenly stopped and now he wants to be friends.
The spread between him and Mr. Buffet wouldn't be that high. I'd bet on $10m with a decent manager vs. $1m with Buffet any day.