What the Midterm Elections Prove About American Values

By Matt Barber

And somewhere men are laughing and somewhere children shout, but there is no joy in Libville—the lefties have struck out.
But it's not just liberal Democrats who lost big last week. The "centrist" Republican establishment crashed and burned as well, lending credence to the growing narrative that a thoroughly exasperated America has entered the age of the political outsider.
While the midterms saw sweeping victories for both conservative candidates and ballot initiatives nationwide, the big winners were religious liberty and family values. Two particular victories best illustrate this national shift in the electorate's "tolerance" for "progressive" socio-political extremism.
First, voters flushed Houston's anti-woman "HERO" ordinance. This LGBT policy would have, among other things, allowed sexually confused men in women's public restrooms and showers, severely punishing anyone who tried to stop them.
Second, was the unexpected trouncing Kentucky businessman and outspoken Kim Davis supporter Matt Bevin laid on Democrat Attorney General Jack Conway in that state's governor's race.
While Houston's bathroom bill was crushed by 62 to 38 percent, Bevin, who was behind in the polls all the way to the end, nonetheless handily beat Conway by 53 to 44 percent.
The Bathroom Bill
Houston, Texas, is anything if not "progressive." After all, voters there have thrice elected a militant lesbian activist as that city's chief executive. After Mayor Annise Parker's misogynistic bathroom bill spiraled down the toilet bowl, she angrily proclaimed, "No one's rights should be subject to a popular vote!"
On this we agree, Ms. Annise. No woman, teenager or little girl should ever have her absolute right to safety and privacy subject to a popular vote. How dare you place women and children in danger and force your constituents to reaffirm this self-evident truth.
If you have a trace of honor, you'll resign.
Women have a right not to be confronted in the restroom by a man. To say that he's the "discriminated against" party here represents everything wrong with today's America. While I'm proud that Parker, a public official, has blocked me, a private citizen, on Twitter, all the foot-stomping and "equal rights" propaganda in the world couldn't block the people of Houston from protecting themselves, their wives and their daughters.
But we shouldn't be surprised at Parker's rage. HERO was her own personal Rosemary's baby. She had already pulled out all the stops to ram it through. You may recall that just last year, in an effort to bully them, she illegally subpoenaed the sermons and privileged communications of a number of Christian pastors who vocally opposed the bathroom bill, as well as having her city attorney, David Feldman, subvert Houston's citizen petition process by illegally tossing out nearly three-quarters of the already validated petition signatures needed to put her utterly insane "gender neutral" ordinance up for a vote by the very people whose privacy it would sexually assault.
It took the Texas Supreme Court and the voters of Houston to set Ms. Parker, um, straight.
Matt Bevin's 'Kim Davis effect'
Kentucky Governor-elect Bevin ran on a bold and unwavering conservative platform. While he won the election fair and square and is eminently qualified to serve as governor, both his supporters and detractors alike agree that it was his courageous public support of embattled Rowan County Clerk Davis that tipped the scales. This support got out the evangelical vote and made a difference—big time.

After Davis was thrown in jail by a federal judge for refusing to violate her conscience by signing her name to "same-sex marriage" licenses, Bevin visited her in jail and publicly voiced his unequivocal support for both the institution of marriage and for Davis' absolute right to defend it.
"The election was not even close," said Mat Staver, Davis' attorney and chairman of Liberty Counsel. "The lopsided victory for Matt Bevin stunned most political pundits. There is no question that the issue of religious freedom and same-sex marriage played a role in the results. The people favor traditional values and marriage, and they are tired of the political elites, represented by Governor Beshear, who are out of touch with ordinary, God-loving citizens. We look forward to working with Governor-elect Matt Bevin to accommodate the religious convictions of Kim Davis and other Kentucky clerks. Finally, we will have common sense and the Constitution prevail in Kentucky."
And work together they shall. Bevin publicly announced Friday that he will exercise his legal authority as governor to ensure that Ms. Davis receives the accommodation she deserves and the U.S. Constitution demands.
In short: Davis wins. Bullies lose.