One or the other..that's all there is

Why is it that so often the response to criticism of the Obama administration sounds something like "What, would your rather have Bush back in office?"? Why do we reduce it down to the idea that those are the only choices? Are there only two political ideologies in the world, called "Bushism" and "Obamaism"? Why not compare the Obama administration to the Clinton administration or the Jefferson or Washington administration? Why is it always a comparison anyway?
This type of response deflects any criticism on the notion that it's OK because it's not as bad as the years before. To me that's like arguing the merits of "Thief A" who ransacks my house but leaves everything and "Thief B" who robs everything but leaves it nice and tidy. Does it make sense to minimize the actions of Thief B because in light of the alternative, it's better? No, the actions warrant scrutiny on their own merit and independent of what might have been.
Instead of excusing shortcomings, mistakes, or poor judgment in the attitude of moral relativism I think we would all benefit from examining our government from a viewpoint of what we ideally want and what is best for us and the future of our country, not what we’re willing to settle for because “it could be much worse”.