Common Courtesy vs Individual Rights

Here's another one of those topics that keep me awake at night---common courtesy. I define common courtesy simply as a behavior that shows respect to another person. You know, like holding a door open for someone, saying please and thank you, not interrupting when they are speaking, listening to another point of view---ah, there's the rub.

There's not much listening to another view point these days. It's not a disease carried only by our leaders but right down the line to the demonstrators who wave signs and demonize elected officials as their right to free speech. I will fight for any one's right to free speech but ask that they use common courtesy to express it.

Would the Founders have been able to write the Constitution in the volatile climate of America today? I'm guessing that (back then) many individuals expressed their beliefs and opinions that were the opposite of what others were thinking. Without common courtesy, would the Founders have been able to compromise and come up with the amazing documents we call the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?

I am turned off by the negativism and discord preached today. When did we, the civilians who proclaim the Constitution and Bill of Rights as the guidelines for ourselves and our government, lose our civility and common sense? And more important, why?