My point was that the “Head of State” is a symbol of the country — and, just like the flag, is revered for that reason alone. It’s like saluting a military officer — you salute the rank, not the man in the uniform. The flip side of this is that the Head of State has to live up to the role — just as a military officer must follow a strict code of behaviour.
In Canada, we never “revere” the Prime Minister (or at least not for long, and never solely by virtue of the office they hold). OTOH, it seems that Americans are expected to “revere” the Office of the Presidency — regardless of how loathsome the incumbent may be. That (IMHO) is because the President is both Head of State (deserving of reverence as a symbol of the country) and the “Head of Government” (just another politician; who has to continually earn whatever respect comes their way).
“My point was that the “Head of State” is a symbol of the country — and, just like the flag, is revered for that reason alone”
Here that reverence used to only be expressed for the Constitution, George Washington precisely because he rejected such adoration, and generally for the founders. The president and his office is that of an employee, to be watched. The presidency is to be no more revered than the congress or the supreme court.
“it seems that Americans are expected to “revere” the Office of the Presidency — regardless of how loathsome the incumbent may be. That (IMHO) is because the President is both Head of State (deserving of reverence as a symbol of the country) and the “Head of Government””
I think its more a reflection of our emerging aristocracy and a wish by that class that the president be treated as a monarch. Look at Truman, Ike, Hoover, Coolidge, etc. They never were handed such flattery and adoration.