Nobody really listens to the words of "From a Distance." I find it incredibly sardonic or even sarcastic. She's saying "From God's point of view it looks pretty good down here." Such a "God" would be in serious need of getting a closer look, and the term "complacent" comes immediately to mind. Things can be pretty bad down here, and putting on the ol' Rose coloured glasses (is it a coincidence that Middler sang "The Rose"?) doesn't help things any; rolling up one's sleeves and working for peace and justice might.

Alex