One person's "essential" is another person's "nonessential". Schools, libraries, military, the EPA and IRS... it's an interesting idea but I don't see how you'll get agreement on what's actually "essential" beyond lawmakers' salaries.

That’s why in most situations it would make sense to think about how to do and take less

Typically we do this by voting. Voting is one means of solving collective dis/approval decisions.

Hard to have any strategy when every issue goes to a WIIFM vote.

WIIFM?

What’s In It For Me.

Why does this provide more difficulties? Do you think some of this may be resolved with cardinal style voting where several options may be provided and they can be scored/rated?

Vote for a prime minister/party/president like you would employ someone: pick someone great and get the hell out of their way. Obviously they shouldn’t be a dictator: have a senate or parliament. I think we need tweaks to what we have now. Proportional presentation or even just preference voting goes along way to helping balance things out more fairly.