I think that Kahlan herself does take her responsibilities seriously, but in general I agree - the institution of Confessors is full of really ugly things, even without considering taking a mate and the whole male Confessor thing.

On the other hand, in a world with magic some of that entitlement stuff seems inevitable. If Richard tried to organize a democracy, for example, I don't think it would work...somehow having people with extra powers seems to force a somewhat tyrannical system.