The key to the present is in the past. That's something we may want to remember as we cast our vote in selecting our elected officials tomorrow. It's a lesson out of the geologist and social-work professions, both of which operate on that principle.

Geologists know that to understand the present they need to learn about the past. They study the layers of the earth, fossils, folding, erosion and rocks in order to determine the present and make predictions about future changes.

Similarly, social workers are trained to study how individuals have functioned in the past in social situations. This is necessary in order to make an assessment of a person's problems, strengths, and a prediction of future behavior and how the individual can best be helped. It includes looking at patterns of behavior, values, child-rearing practices, marital relations, education and work history. Is there a history of giving, sharing, working cooperatively with others — or was the person reclusive, controlling, self-centered and prone to unpredictable behavior in how he solved problems?

We ought to apply the same principle in voting for a candidate.

Some will make great promises about caring for people and their community, even though there is little evidence of having done so in their past. They will say that they want to bring people together, but their history has been one of confrontation; and they will promise that special-interest groups will not sway them, but once in office they forget the public's interest. If one looks closely at what people call "flip-flops" on issues, they find these are often an expression of how people really think and act. People say they will represent all the people, regardless of their station in life; yet one only has to look at their past and experience in relating with the diverse groups found in every community to determine if they mean it. Some will talk about values, yet they don't always practice what they preach. They all talk about integrity and honesty but, for some, their past may be a different story.

Viewing the past as a predictor, we simply need to look at some of the people we have elected to review our own track record. We may have bought in to the sound bites and bumper stickers. Some equate leadership with how loud they can be against something and call it a success. Now, we have local candidates running on issues such as the environment, safe neighborhoods, revitalizing downtown, civil rights, and involving neighborhood residents in decisions that affect their lives. Some talk in sound bites on where they stand on issues without any details and never say how to get things done. This seems true especially when it comes to the Salt Lake west-side neighborhoods. Some play loose with facts.