For my first local database, I wanted to use a directory server for something including, but not limited to, people. I wanted the example to be useful not just as a demonstration of the software, but as a reference point for explaining the framework and its extensibility. I also wanted to develop something that would be accessible, meaningful, and unique. Most importantly, it had to be based on public data that I could extract easily. Then I got a mailing from Public Citizen in early October, and I realized what needed to be done. Presenting...

The LDAPHttp Congress example

In the 2002 Public Citizen Election Issue, they had sent me a chart that showed how Congressmen had voted on several issues in recent sessions. It graded the Senators and Representatives against the views held by Public Citizen on these issues, but I saw an opportunity take one further step towards democracy. Leaving the issues and their descriptions intact, my example application lets people make up their own minds and determine the frequency whereby their congressmen agree. I thought this might help people make somewhat more informed voting decisions.

I deployed the example on this site and began to spread the word Sunday, Nov 2. By Monday, I was getting enthusiastic feedback and had links posted from Steve Anglin's weblog on oreillynet.com and onjava.com. Tuesday was Election Day; hopefully we all voted. The log files will bear out how many people the application may have assisted in gauging their legislative representation, however the final election results indicate that informed satisfaction probably doesn't weigh much into American voting decisions.