Governments are elected to make informed decisions that the public would have a difficult time doing 

For example choosing the proper flu vaccine for a given year, or what route to take for a new road 

The public understands and accepts that, on the belief there is research that has been done to arrive at and justfies the decision 

But the public knows and it doesn't pass the 'smell test' when it is arbitrary like how many refugees should be accepted, or a program like this....