This has value sometimes. But there are also times where the Democrats take this to an extreme where it borders self-flagellation, rather than a coherent civic value. For example, Republicans in Texas are capable of organizing a parallel military that will challenge the Federal government, and even though the Federal government had the legal right to dismantle it, liberals are far too concerned with appearances to do anything about it. When does this attitude of "decorum above all" end? Before or after fascists begin public lynchings? It's not an attitude that is applied the same in all directions, either. Why are democrats far more eager to cast doubt into the legitimacy of anti-war protestors than in fighting against fascists challenging the State monopoly of violence?