This is the reality of Delegated Proof of Stake. The elected witnesses can do what they want, provided a supermajority amongst them is there.

As the general community, we can only vote with our stake. We reward good decisions by sustaining our vote for the witnesses or changing it when we feel witnesses do not act in a way we think is best for Steem.

But at no point a decision or action of the witnesses would require a public conversation. Not by design. I would say getting consensus between witnesses is already challenge enough.

Although my stake is very small, I've changed some of my witness votes in light of current events.