Other lawmakers should follow Kirk

Public approval ratings of Congress have never been lower. Gallup, which has been polling the issue for 35 years now, reports that an anemic 12 percent of Americans think Congress is doing a satisfactory job. I can't say that I am shocked. Congress has been positively glacial in its movement on pressing problems like oil prices, the economy pork barrel spending continues unchecked and lawmakers spend more time fighting with the other party than fighting the problems all Americans face.

We here in the 10th District are fortunate to be represented by an exception to the rule: Mark Kirk. He is a leader on issues ranging from the environment and energy independence to Iran. He is also the first member of the appropriations committee to respect our tax dollars and swear off earmarks. Kirk is one of those rare politicians who gets things done and refrains from feeding from the public trough.

The key to his success is he doesn't get mired in partisan bickering. Rather than snipe at Democrats he reaches across the aisle and finds common ground with them. Both parties would do well to follow Mark Kirk's example if they ever want to raise their approval ratings out of the basement.

Melissa Feinstein

Highland Park