Hey Cockerel,

Indeed it may be a harbinger of things to come in many other nations including the more developed states in Europe, and yes even the U.S, if they fail to heed the signs.

Revolutions occur when the general populace have nothing left to loose...no freedom, no opportunity, no justice, no money and especially no food. In sharp contrast to lifestyles of the few elites who seem isolated from the repression and misery experienced by the overwhelming majority.

There are reports that approximately 2/3 of Egyptians' wages goes toward buying food.

History is usually a good indicator of the future and understanding that previous revolutions including the French occurred from massive national debt, high inflation (thus rising food prices in late 1780's), and growing disparity between the disproportionately small, wealthy ruling class and most everyone else (i.e. les miserables).

I pulled the following quote from a Reuters article this morning, spoken by one of the many young Egyptian protesters (referring to Hosni Mubarak).

Mahmoud Mohammed Imam, a 26-year-old taxi-driver, said: "All he said were empty promises and lies. He appointed a new government of thieves, one thief goes and one thief comes to loot the country." "This is the revolution of the people who are hungry, this is the revolution of the people who have no money against those with a lot of money."

At the current rate, it may not be much of a stretch to suggest that same comment could eventually fall from the tongue of a young American.

There are no shortage of "thieves" in America and Europe.