I think it's a good barometer of respect, though. Nearly all of us say stuff people agree (or disagree with) all the time. To get respect, though, one must make a particularly thoughtful, considered post. If there was an argument about a game and I just said "awsum" or "sux," sure, maybe I'd get +1 or 2, but if I wrote an amusing, insightful assessment of the game's strengths or weaknesses, I'd probably garner a bit more respect. The same, of course, applies to disrespect as well.
That said, prunyuu~s and -samas are a good way of earning respect too.
;;;