It’s hard for us, growing up in a country where the government — and democracy — are cornerstones of society, to appreciate the true scope of the Egyptian protests. The political movement, now entering an unprecedented third week, is precisely the sort of free assembly and government criticism our forefathers sought to protect with the First Amendment.

What you’re seeing, folks, is democracy incarnate. Forget the mythos, the media hoopla that comes every time the tea partiers get together and wave flags – the past few weeks of turmoil in Cairo are indeed an historic event, proof positive that people can assemble and demand social reform under the most authoritative of regimes.

What we’re missing, Daily faithful, is the Barack Obama from the campaign trail.

Despite the worldwide, unanimous consensus that President Hosni Mubarak needs to step down in an expeditious fashion, the White House seems content to stand on the sidelines, fingers crossed, and wait for ‘the right thing’ to be done.

While the President has indeed stepped up his rhetoric as the world collectively looks our direction and waits for something – anything – to be said, Obama isn’t saying much.

There’s the glossy, polished politicking masquerading as ‘official’ sentiment, with the President stating that Egypt’s transfer of power “…must begin now” and lead to “free and fair elections,” and “include a broad representation of the Egyptian opposition.”

However, when asked directly if Mubarak should step down, President Obama doesn’t seem comfortable going any further than stating Mubarak needs to “consult with advisors” and “listen to what’s being voiced by the Egyptian people.”

We expect more from you, Mr. President.

Now is hardly the time for political maneuvering. While we seem content to maintain friendly relations with less-than-friendly regimes (read: Saudi Arabia), the bridge between America and Hosni Mubarak is one we can most surely afford to burn.

The people of Egypt need reassurance beyond political rhetoric.

There’s simply no excuse for the conduct of the Mubarak regime. While the President has no qualms condemning violence against the protesters and journalists braving the chaos of Tahrir Square, he seems content to mince words regarding Mubarak stepping down.

Interestingly, last Thursday our oft-maligned Senate gave unanimous approval to a resolution calling for “an orderly and peaceful transition to a democratic political system, including the transfer of power to an inclusive interim caretaker government, in coordination with leaders from Egypt’s opposition, civil society and military, to enact the necessary reforms to hold free, fair and internationally credible elections this year,” a refreshingly forthright, bold statement that we’re proud to reprint.

However, no such statement from Obama exists. Given the circumstances, allow us to chime in:

Mubarak needs to go. Now.