As we watch the events unfold in Egypt, I wonder if this is a sign of things to come here in our own country.

As the undisputed wealthiest nation in the world, it’s hard to imagine the possibility of a decline in this country on a scale equal to the one that led to the current uprising in Egypt.

But, rampant unemployment, out-of-control food prices, corruption, repressive government, limited opportunity — do those sound familiar? As the gap between the “haves” and “have-not’s” continues to grow, more and more pressure will be placed on our already burdened system.

The middle class of the United States has been, and continues to be, the driving force behind the economic well-being of the entire world. If we continue to allow the enormous domestic and multinational corporations to shift their obligation to their workers from the private sector to the public domain, the result is clear.

We owe the blessings bestowed upon today to those hardworking men and women who stood up for themselves in the face of greed and oppression.

Let’s keep this in mind as we continue to monitor the situation in Egypt and hopefully learn from these actions, lest we find ourselves looking in the mirror.