In a free market, only the goods and services that are needed/ desired or required by consumers are produced: only those that will eventually be bought and paid for.
We elect senators and representatives for the House. They basically make up what the people who elected them wants, but some are corrupt so they don't really listen to the people. They mainly listen to the people who fund their campaigns. What we do have are the U.S. Constitution and the U.S. Amendments to protect our rights such as forcing the person we elected to do what we want, because if they don't we can "fire" them and elect new ones. (petition)
What is legalisms? excessive adherence to law or formula.
The answer is regressive tax. Example: sales tax. With this tax the rate is the same rate for everyone, no matter their income. The only thing that changes is the percent of your income you pay. Someone who makes less money will pay a higher percentage of their income than someone who makes more money.