I don’t usually write about France, or any country besides the United States, but this is clearly an example of political backbone:

President Sarkozy of France is on the verge of a breakthrough in his ambitious plan to wean his country off the restrictive working practices he believes stand in the way of national prosperity.

Yesterday, the strike of rail and subway workers that has crippled France for nine days was clearly crumbling, as workers began returning to work in large numbers and union branches conceded that support for the dispute is collapsing.

“We think a dynamic of return to work has begun,” Julie Vion, a spokeswoman for France’s state-owned railroad network, SNCF, said.

If Sarkozy can stare down the socialist elements in his country and WIN, why can’t Republicans in Congress do the same in a center-right country?

*And the crickets chirp…*