WTH Happened To Patriotism, Faith and Community in America? Patrick Ruffini Explains the Decline in Key Values that Made Us Who We Are

The priorities that have traditionally shaped American national
character – patriotism, religious faith, family, community
involvement – are no longer as important to most Americans. The
Wall Street Journal reported this trend in a viral poll, but the
sentiment is believable even without the stark statistics. This
poll was conducted in 1989, 2019, and now in 2023, and the only
value to go up in importance? Money. Our guest explains that
there is necessary context for the reported numbers due to
methodology, but the overall trend is undeniable: we are becoming
an increasingly selfish country. And what is to blame? Perhaps it
is the echo chamber of social media, the decline of serious
education, or anti-Western propaganda from our adversaries
beginning to define our own national message. In any case, the
country is unhealthy. But entirely fixable, and worth fixing.


Patrick Ruffini is a pollster and co-founder of Echelon Insights,
a polling and analytics firm. Ruffini began his career working
for President George W. Bush, including roles at the Republican
National Committee, his re-election campaign, and in his
Administration. From 2005 to 2006, he was the lead digital
strategist for the RNC. He is the Author of Party of the People:
Inside the Multiracial Populist Coalition Remaking the GOP
(coming November 2023).


Download the transcript here.