What is happening in the land of Pharoahs?!

There is so much information one would need to understand what is actually happening in the land of pyramids.  "It's the economy stupid"....The majority of people in Egypt live on less than $2 a day!  Food prices are extremely high and the unemployment rate very high.  It is easily stated that the Egyptian people are unhappy with how their government is governing. 

We here in the United States when we are unhappy with our government have a simple tool called an election.  This past November, Americans were frustrated with the economy/unemployment and they didn't like the Obama policies in particular the Health Care Plan.  Our democracy allowed us to release the Democratic stranglehold on the legislative/executive branches that the democrats held and they overwhelmingly voted a majority of Republicans into the House of Representatives...what does this have to do with Egypt?  They don't have this tool. 

Egypt for over 50 years has been a dictatorship.  There are all types of dictatorships, but for the most part there isn't freedom of speech or assembly additionally, the government controls a majority of the media outlets. The Mubarek regime also has a firm control over the military which of course is the key to any successful dictator.

Hosni Mubarek assumed the role of autocratic leader in 1981.  (He became leader after Anwar Sadat was assassinated by his own soldiers during a military parade. Mubarek was lucky he wasn't killed too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hsY6DHvod0&feature=related

Since this tragic event, Mubarek has ruled with a iron fist.  All elections are rigged and democracy is only a foreign idea for most Egyptians.  With the world moving forward, this antiquated regime has continued to rule.  Thousands of political prisoners have suffered in the country's prisons.  Many of these prisons are known for their clever torture tactics which if described would make one cringe! 

Now with facbook and other social networking sites, the people of Egypt have had enough!  They are organized and rebelling because they want more from their their government. 

The big questions for another day
1. Why is the United States closely watching? Is regime change good for the U.S?
2. Why are the other Middle Eastern countries also concerned? Domino effects?
3. How will this event change the balance of power in the region?