There is a relatively new way of measuring constituent services from your politicians - and that's by looking at their Web sites and how useful, or not, they are. As anybody who has a Web site knows, they are useless if they are not kept updated. There's nothing like turning to a Web site and seeing the latest item posted was in 1999 to give you confidence.

Vermont's delegation fared well in the 2007 Congressional Management Foundation Mouse Awards. A gold mouse went to those with the best Web sites. Our representatives did not snare one of those. But Sen. Bernie Sanders won a silver and Sen. Patrick Leahy and Rep. Peter Welch won bronzes. Leahy was cited as one of only three members to win an award each year they were given - 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2007, though he's taken a tumble - in all the previous years he won a gold.

The Foundation, a nonprofit organization that says it is dedicated to promoting a more effective Congress, said overall congressional Web sites are disappointing, "with more than 40% of congressional Web sites earning a substandard or failing grade."

Some 16 percent of the members received a gold, silver or bronze award, meaning they earned an "A," while 20.9 percent received a "B;" 20.7 received a "C;" and 22.8 received a 'D." A full 18 percent received "F." Unlike when you and I were in school, an A- is from 86-89 (they called that a B in my day), an A is from 90-95 and an A+ is 96-100.

The elements of good Web sites were described as: Design and Layout, Legislative Content,
Constituent Services, Press Resources, State/District Information, Communication Tools.

Sanders' site was noted for its use of interactive polls. Welch's and Leahy's were cited for the info they provide on their districts.

Have you all used your congressional representatives' Web sites? Found them to be useful? Anything lacking?

Here are links just to make your lives that much easier:
Welch: http://www.welch.house.gov/
Leahy: http://leahy.senate.gov/
Sanders: http://sanders.senate.gov/

- Terri Hallenbeck