The outreach to Episcopalians, for example, has more to do with fostering unity than it does with trying to increase the number of priests. Just look at the numbers of married convert priests - too low to even register on the radar.
As to the laity having a say: if theings were to reach the crisis stage, there would be a sudden wave of vocations spawned by catholics who realize they truly need to make the choice of the priesthood attractive to young people. It is all lip service now for many. How many of your parish acquaintances with only one son would be overjoyed to find their son wanted to be a priest? Most such catholics would be very disappointed at such a choice. Lay people such as this ought not be given much credence when it comes to having a say about parish closings or vocations concerns.
The American Church has done itself no favors in the way it has handled the pedophilia problem; the media has certainly blown the occurrences out of proportion. Many Catholics I know wouldn't encourage a son to be a priest on a bet; they think the priesthood is a a haven for homosexuals.
You sell these people short. They are good Catholics. However, they're aware of what their sacrifices have helped build and develop.
Let me assure you: if half the parishes closed, the bishops would struggle with the other half, as most of the money would dry up.
That, my friend, is a fact.