If one must code/recode to get the options a site requires, one may as well code the whole site. Sometimes less really is less. Not everyone desires more "less".

While WP downloads may be inclining, generally blogging is declining. Are you reading more or fewer blogs these days?

The WP download numbers are reputation driven. That reputation may not be sustained by offering less, .i.e., fewer options. Is WP becoming "McBlog" software??