About Utah: Some things had better not change

Change. The word is omnipresent since Barack Obama won Tuesday night.

"Obama Rides Wind of Change to Historic Victory" proclaimed the Reuters headline that circled the world.

"Change has come to America," shouted President-elect Obama in his historic acceptance speech in Chicago.

But let's hope not too much change.

Let's hope they don't change the part about being able to drive to New York without having to stop anywhere and show anyone your identification papers.

Or the part about an employment rate that is consistently above 95 percent.

Or the part about having the best health-care facilities on Earth.

Let's hope they don't change that we can still put our garbage on the curb and someone will magically pick it up.

Or that we can call 911 and someone will show up to give us medical attention or police help.

Or that we can go to church on Sunday whenever and wherever we want; or, for that matter, stay home.

Let's hope they don't change the part about the good roads and excellent drinking water.

Or that we can own our own property and start our own businesses.

Or that we have to enforce our borders because people are begging to live here instead of the other way around.

Let's hope they don't change that we can still drive gas-guzzling SUVs that get eight miles to the gallon just because we can.

Or that we can speak our mind openly and freely without fear of repercussion.

Or that we can continue to root for the Cubs.

Or against the Cubs.

Let's hope they don't change the part about our excellent indoor plumbing.

Or that we can flip a switch and have light.

Or that we can flip another switch and have heat.

Let's hope they don't change the part about having farms that produce so much food that our problem is producing too much.

Or that we have to worry a lot more about obesity than we do about hunger.

Or that we have the world's finest all-night convenience stores.

Let's hope they don't change the part about being innocent until proven guilty.

Or that we have the right to an attorney.

Or that we have the right to privacy.

Let's hope they don't change the part about a military that could beat up anybody else's military.

Or the part that the Communists hate us.

Or the part that the Socialists loathe us.

Let's hope they don't change the part about being able to live where we want, when we want and with whom we want.

Or the part that we can vote.

Or the part that we don't have to vote.

Let's hope they don't change the part about giving more foreign aid by far than any country that has ever existed in the history of the world.

Or the part about the food banks, homeless shelters and soup kitchens that stretch from coast to coast and routinely provide service for millions on a completely private basis.

Or the part about free medical care for those who can't afford it.

Let's hope they don't change the part about a human rights record that has shown consistent improvement ever since the first Pilgrim stepped on Plymouth Rock.

Or the part about a long and tireless history of fighting for other people's human rights.

Or the part about anyone who is born in this country has a shot at becoming president.

Let's hope that in the rush to change they don't forget everything that shouldn't be changed at all.

Lee Benson's column runs Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please send e-mail to benson@desnews.com and faxes to 801-237-2527.