A new Wall Street Journal poll shows that American values such as patriotism, religious faith, having children, and hard work have declined in importance to Americans. In 1998, 70% of Americans surveyed ranked patriotism as being very important to them, but now just 38% feel the same. Over 60% said religion was important, but now less than 40% do. The decline of these values is not surprising, as the national character of the country has been deteriorating for decades, with the American flag being distorted from a symbol of patriotism to one of oppression, while kneeling during the national anthem is widely applauded. Meanwhile, a Christian high school football coach was fired for kneeling in prayer on another football field. Children are being taught that America is systematically racist, and some on the left believe that people shouldn’t have children for the sake of the planet. The decline of American values is seen as a key issue, particularly for the younger generation, as fentanyl overdoses, suicidal thoughts among girls, and social media addictions are plaguing a generation. Churches have also been closing, with 4,500 Protestant churches closed in 2019 alone. This decline is a problem, as religious leaders feel that they should be there for the toughest times to come. It is suggested that people need to show what being blessed means, not just by flaunting material wealth, but by demonstrating kindness and love. It is believed that young people need to learn what to strive for, and it’s not just money or jobs, but time, eye contact, love in the heart, and blessings to share.