Americans have much to learn from other countries; most recently, and importantly, Tunisia and Egypt. While America has no need of open revolt and violent revolution, it is in need of a wake-up call.

The situation in Egypt shows just how fragile liberty can be. Education, the Internet, cell phones, roads, sewage, electricity, natural gas, welfare, health insurance and a military to defend against foreign threats are all rights and services supported by government. However, as Egypt’s now ephemeral government has demonstrated, these rights services can be very easily taken away.

Shortly after the revolts in Egypt began in January, Internet and cell service was completely shut down within the torn country. This is a feat that seems impossible to achieve, much less by a crumbling government. Despite its intent, shutting down something as widely used as the Internet only worsened the problem. This act only served to spur the riots on and it is now a matter of time before Hosni Mubarak’s 29 year presidency will end. After that, the public will shape a new system, for  better or worse. But what about America?

Here, we have a right to vote, right to assembly, the right of free speech and a slew of others I can’t even keep track of. My major concern is this: if these rights and privileges were threatened, would we fight as the Egyptians, as the Tunisians? Or would we simply accept it? As proud as we are of our political and moral beliefs, they can be shattered as easily as glass when the pressure is on.

What would happen if our internet was shut down by the government? There are rumors  out there that a ‘kill switch’ is being developed that with one touch could remove the United States from the virtual map. If they can down the Internet, why not cell phones? What would you do if your government took away your cell phone? What would happen? Would you be willing to fight for your rights as an American citizen?

 There is no reason to believe, at this time, that America will degenerate into a society that willingly stifles the rights of it’s people. The purpose of these words is to prompt the question ‘what would I do?’ For all of it’s quirks and problems, we live in a prosperous nation were violence is virtually non existent compared to other countries. Hopefully, all countries will be able to say the same.

While it is unfair for us to tell other countries how they should be, we should encourage civil liberty and human rights for every member of the human race. America has been afforded the luxury of a veritable population, making it a melting pot of different views and beliefs from all around the world and yet there is no war in the streets. Imagine a world where every country had freedom of speech, assembly and religion. The world would be a very different place with only these three basic rights, whether in a democracy or not.

Freedom is a vital part of understanding and fulfilling life. How having civil freedom affects us is very similar to the theory of evolution in a way. Freedom allows us to become more than those who came before us and to grow as both individuals and as a culture. Never underestimate how powerful the ability to explore ideals different from the norm can be. It could shift the growth of an entire civilization; suppressing freedom would only stifle it.

The people of Egypt have shown that they are willing to fight for this opportunity, whether they realize it or not.

But as wonderful as this all sounds,  we may be stuck in a world where people are obsessed with hierarchy and where political power is easily abused. Humans may always be looking for ways to exploit each other. In 200 years we may still  be using a system that does not work for anybody. This idea of world peace and unity may be completely naive and foolish.

But that can’t stop us from trying, can it?