In the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump’s victory, there was a wave of introspective think-pieces from liberal media outlets about how the progressive left had lost their way. Voters in rural Michigan and Pennsylvania whose livelihoods were decimated by globalisation and automation were feeling disconnected from raging debates about "boutique" issues like gender identity. These voters wanted change. They wanted leaders who would bring back their jobs, not navel gaze about which bathrooms transgender people should use.

And thus Donald Trump was elected, propelling to the Republicans to victory in both chambers of Congress and in state legislatures across America. Finally, an opportunity to curb exorbitant occupational licensing along with state regulation, cut taxes, and move on from this incessant culture war.

But something odd has happened. Texas, a bastion of Republicanism and libertarianism, has just unveiled the Texas Privacy Act, making it illegal for people to use a public bathroom corresponding to a gender other than that on their birth certificate. In doing so, they betray that they are just as obsessed with the culture war as Democrats are, if not more so. But they also make a mockery of Republicans who actually believe in small government.