Maybe the reason you don't feel like you can chime in has something to do with thinking your opinions are irrelevant? (I.e. "why bother responding when I don't know what I'm talking about")
I'm not sure how to combat people's mentalities other than to say that some voices might be louder and more informed but we're all Utopians and each person's opinions are as valid as anyone else's. I'm happy to listen to anyone's suggestions on how to make the forums a more welcoming atmosphere