The decisions for funding biomedical research proposals at the NIH and elsewhere is made by 'study sections', small panels of experts who travel periodically to Bethesda and work in private in a quasi-democratic way. Making decisions on the distribution of our tax dollars more transparent and democratic would be helpful and speed progress, though participants would still have to be vetted. This would have the effect of making decisions evidence-based and rational, and reduce the influence by political appointees. Bush appointees set priorities in a faith-based fashion, reducing research on subjects like reproductive health while emphasizing study for topics such as abstinence or the power of prayer in health outcomes. We need evidence-based, merit-based transparent research funding now!!