Eroding moral values gets noticed

It is only recently that I've heard a lot of talk that we are just days away from the end of the first decade of the 21st Century.(using the same calendar that says that the year 2000 started the 21st Century instead of ending the 20th). So it is time for stories looking back at the decade. I may even mention some of them.

A Wall Street Journal poll asked what was the greatest negative impact on America this past decade. Apparently, responders could check all that they agree with (making me wonder about "greatest"). Here's the top of the list:

74% said we lost ground in economic prosperity.
66% said we lost ground on moral values (wasn't the party of values in power?)
55% said we lost ground on treating others with respect
54% said … nation's sense of unity
50% said … peace and national security
46% said … health and well being
37% said … environment
38% cited the 9/11 attacks
12% said the decade was good or great.

Remember now who was president during most of the decade. It won't be hard to guess who is being blamed for all of the decade's bad events.