Reply #126: Relative and absolute are both important measures

[daleo]

Relative is important too, because it shows a trend. Country A may be better than Country B on some measure, but if Country B is going up while Country A is going down, Country B is in a better position.

Compare the current Russian government to Stalin.
Compare China's current government to Mao.
Compare the current U.S. government to FDR or JFK.
Then consider who's improved and who's declined in the eyes of the world.

I grant that the U.S. is still a more desirable place to live than Russia and China, for the average neutral citizen. It may remain that way in the future, but nobody can be certain. Bush has brought the U.S. down in world perception, while the current Russian and Chinese leaderships have brought their countries. Those are important things to keep in mind.

I hope a change in government can undo the damage Bush has wrought.