That seems to be the question of the moment in politics. As an individual, I would say, “about the same.” For the country as a whole, I don’t think it’s a close issue. The answer is “much better off.” Think back to September 2008. Lehman Brothers collapsed, banks were failing, AIG was looking into the abyss, and the world economy was at risk. It’s still shaky due to the weakness in Europe, but America isn’t facing the worst financial panic since the Great Depression. These aren’t the rosiest of times, to be sure — the economy is stuck in the mud — but nothing in my lifetime is as serious as the situation was in September 2008.