Well, I think its a different story if your leader says you can't say something, but usually, it's for the good of the LS's image. You don't want someone that represents you and others to be a total *******. Like the leaders of the LSs that I am in never asked me to stop humping ppl and what-not, cuz I usually hump for a good cause >.>.
I think you see the leader as a "master and servant" type deal. It's not, a leader organizes, instructs, etc. Pretty much like a manager at work. Though the manager tells you what to do, you can quit at anytime. The manager needs you to keep everything flowing. And you need the manager so things will be organized. It goes back and forth, not a one sided deal.
To be honest, I wouldn't want to be a leader of a LS. All the responsibilities. Its hard work bro, as you already know. So I DO think that ppl should respect leaders, but of course, don't follow a leader if you don't like, trust, and believe in him/her.
As for giving leaders "rank" over you, well, that's just how it goes. They are the leader. They should have some kind of footing. I believe that everyone is equal in a LS to a point. Again, I don't think its about pulling rank, its about having a good group. And a good group consists of good members and a good leader. You can't have a group full of wannabe leaders because everyone will be trying to instruct everyone else, thinking their idea is best. Nor a group of only members, because you won't get anywhere.
You can look at the history of the world. The most powerful of societies had strong leaders. Hell, even the worst kind of leader like Hitler led Germany and gave them power. Some people need leaders. Someone to believe in to pull them through a situation. Look at Martin Luther King, Gandi, etc. They weren't trying to pull rank. They were trying to get things done.
Yeah, Sophus usually does have a lot to say, but I think that Sophus has very intelligent posts. You don't like Gentoo? I love him! He is like a sage to me. I just wish I saw him more because I can't play as much as I used to because of my senior project. Anyway, we need to PT one day bro^^.