Cont.....
that lay folks can't be fair and balanced.  Your very premise is biased and a form of clericalism
Please check most dioceses and the educational achievements of their clergy....most have, at best, a MDiv from a catholic seminary.  Those of us who know these seminaries also know the *value* of this degree - it is closer to a professional accreditation than a university bestowed Masters degree.  How many have Masters degrees from top level, recognized state universities?  (most have education in a catholic seminary bubble and Benny tried to turn that clock back even more in terms of isolation).
e) Actual and real episcopal lay consultation would improve the US Church - yes, lay are asked today but lay who fit your pejorative definition of secular/lay with biases, ideologies, local power.  Bishops choose certain handpicked folks for the nuncio - we already have what you negatively describe.
We need to move to the Lutheran or Methodist system with checks/balances and oversight.