Citizen Initiatives

[Cindy O'Connor &lt;cloconnor&gt;</li>]

I really like the question asking if an increased role for citizens in the ballot initiative process would increase voter participation.  I am trying to picture what an increased role would be.  How could we better inform voters?  How can we make topics interesting or relative to voters?  So many initiatives have gut level appeal (locking up 14 year old felons with adult offenders; increasing the use of the death penalty; prohibiting education and health services for illegal immigrants; term limits), but on reflection have unpleasent consequences.  
Does anyone have ideas about how to engage the ordinary person in thoughtful discussion?  Joan, I really liked your comments.  You are right about how much time do we have for this.