Opportunistic much?

One of the things that bugged me most about the Iraq War was the impression that President Bush and his administration used the country's fear after a national crisis (the 9/11 attacks) to steer the country in a direction he had in mind before taking office: removing Saddam Hussein from power and trying to spread democracy in the Middle East. The merits of his ideas and the war itself are worthy of considerable debate. But the impression that Mr. Bush used a tragedy as an opportunity to advance his own neo-conservative agenda without opposition is what rankles my gizzard.

Now.

One of the things that is bugging me most about the economic stimulus package is the impression that House Speaker Pelosi and her congressional chums are using the country's fear during a national crisis (the plunging economy) to steer the country in a direction she had in mind before taking office: enlarging government programs and subsidies in permanent institutions such as schools, health care, and the environment. The merits of her policy plans and the stimulus package itself are worthy of considerable debate. But the impression that Ms. Pelosi is using a tragedy as an opportunity to advance her own liberal agenda without opposition is what flips my liver.