Recent findings from a Wall Street Journal-NORC poll reveal a deeply troubling trend for those who believe in the traditional values that shaped America's founding and national character.

The survey reports a significant decline in the importance of patriotism , religious faith, family values, and other core principles among the public. This decline is not only a cause for concern but also a call to action for those who believe in preserving the greatness of our nation.

It's alarming to see only 38% of respondents consider patriotism very important, and 39% see religion as very important, down from 70% and 62%, respectively, when the poll was conducted in 1998. Equally shocking, the value placed on having children, community involvement, and hard work has also seen a sharp decrease. It seems as though our once unified nation, bonded by shared values, is crumbling beneath the weight of rampant individualism and the erosion of the common principles that have held it together.

This disintegration of our common bonds can be traced back to the progressive Left's relentless attack on values such as religion and the family and their efforts to transform our society radically in the name of diversity and inclusion. The Left's agenda has infiltrated nearly every institution in life, from the education system to the media, which have willingly promoted narratives that undermine our nation's core principles. The poll's findings highlight the devastating consequences of this agenda.

Younger people, in particular, show a glaring disconnect with the values held dear by their parents and grandparents. This generational gap demonstrates the success of progressive indoctrination in our schools, in which critical race theory, gender ideology, and anti-American sentiment are taught as gospel.

It's no coincidence that as traditional values wane, the importance placed on money has increased. In our increasingly materialistic society, wealth accumulation has become the primary measure of success, overshadowing the virtues of hard work, personal responsibility, and self-sacrifice. This shift in priorities is a direct result of the Left's pursuit of wealth redistribution and the demonization of merit. This, along with the pervasive influence of consumerism, has created a society in which individual success is measured by financial gains rather than personal integrity or contributions to the community. This relentless chase for wealth not only distorts the priorities of the public but also fosters a culture of selfishness and greed, undermining the very foundations of our once-strong and united nation.

As a nation, we must recognize and fight against this insidious attack on our values. Our future as a strong, cohesive society depends on our ability to preserve and promote the values that once defined us. We must stand firm against the progressive onslaught and that our education system returns to teaching the true American history — one that emphasizes the importance of patriotism and the founding principles of our great nation.

Churches, civic organizations, and community institutions must also rise to the challenge, providing guidance and support to those who have been led astray by secularism and moral relativism. The decline in religious faith has left a vacuum in our society, one that has been filled with hedonism and narcissism. By reaffirming the importance of faith, we can restore the moral compass that has guided our nation through its most trying times.

We must also emphasize the importance of family values and the institution of marriage. The family unit has been the backbone of society since its inception, and the decline in its importance is a clear indication of our nation's moral decay. By fostering strong family bonds and promoting the sanctity of marriage, we can begin to reknit the tattered and torn fabric of social structures.

The Wall Street Journal’s poll highlights what everyone has felt within their soul for the past few decades. We are teetering on the edge of an abyss. Tyranny and social tumult buffet us on every side, and the fading light of America’s golden age glimmers ever more distant to our failing eyes. Far from serving as simply a wake-up call, this stark evidence of patriotic cardiac arrest must act as a national defibrillator, shocking our republic into action.

Recapturing belief in freedom and moral values should not be seen as an impossible task but rather as a noble challenge that matches in importance the challenges faced by every generation of Americans who have come before.

Mr. Lance Gooden is a U.S. representative for Texas and a member of the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.