A great <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/09/more_than_275_people_turn_out.html" rel="nofollow">example</a> here in Portland, where the city council just agreed privately to add floride to the water without public discussion. The "public comment period" was jammed with people, but they couldn't influence the process.

I know this is perhaps an example that draws emotion from vastly divergent views, and mixes feelings and science. It certainly is an example of little public involvement in a public decision involving health and money. Here's what I wonder though, would a thorough public discussion on a well-worn topic (over the years, and around the country) like this have changed the vote? And if not, would it be important?