I had to use the last of my Reynolds Wrap for this, but governments might favor being caught off guard if it means they can adopt measures that are more extreme

I had to use the last of my Reynolds Wrap for this, but governments might favor being caught off guard if it means they can adopt measures that are more extreme than would otherwise be tolerated. You lay out a situation where government officials actively invite input from the populace and form their opinion based off extended consideration of a policy. Bureaucracy and willful ineptitude are likely the real culprits.