In both of those cases the government was very much listening to the electorate, and giving them exactly what they wanted even if they did not ask for it or eve

In both of those cases the government was very much listening to the electorate, and giving them exactly what they wanted even if they did not ask for it or even refused it by name. People wanted the government to fix the banking crisis, and they did in the most expedient way, even if the proper medicine was so foul-tasting as to inspire popular revolt. People begged for more security theater to prevent another underwear bomber, and the government threw money at the only potential solution to that attack vector and got it implemented just in time for the next holiday season.