This statement made headlines when it was uttered by Barack Obama's former Chief of Staff, Rahm Emmanuel. Reading this statement begs the question: how do you ensure that a crisis does not go to waste? Simple. If you are a Democrat, you expand government.
Democrats always use turmoil and crises to push their big government, anti-individual agenda. From recessions and fiscal cliffs to mass shootings, the anti-liberty forces are constantly on the move.
The fiscal cliff is being used by Democrats to seize more private property from individuals with the hopes of using this "revenue" to transfer it to others. This in turn will create more dependence on government (read: Democrats). Thus leading to a reduction of liberty for all involved.
The same thing is happening this weekend in the aftermath of the horrific events in Connecticut. The smoke hadn't even cleared yet and liberals are already out attacking the Second Amendment.
Barack Obama came out in favor of "meaningful action" in response to the shooting. Of course we all know what this means- gun control. A reduction of liberty via an expansion of government.
The Democrats do not value liberty. They do not value freedom. They do not value independence. They want a strong state and a subservient people. And what better way to push this than using a crisis as a trojan horse filled with new regulations and an expanded governmental role in our lives?