Kirk seems to care more about horses

After a horrific accident in Wadsworth in 2007, Mark Kirk has sponsored federal legislation banning the use of double-decker vehicles to transport horses. The legislation is the Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2009: House Resolution 305. This is certainly a most humane piece of legislation and I hope it is enacted into law. However, Kirk's track record for initiating bills that have passed is dismal.

GovTrack, a group that monitors legislators, could not find a single bill passed by the House which was initiated by Kirk during his 10 years in Congress.

Unfortunately, Kirk's emphasis on horses (what about cattle, pigs, chickens and sheep?) neglects the real needs of people. The following are just a few of the bills passed by Congress to help the average Joe for which Kirk voted "No:"

• The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010 (HR 4213, 7/22/10). This legislation helps those who have been unemployed for an extended period of time.

• The Wall Street and Consumer Protection Act of 2009 (HR 4172, 6/30/10). This acts sets up a consumer watchdog agency to assure that credit card companies, banks, and mortgage brokers are not abusing consumers.

•The Paycheck Fairness Act of 2009 (HR 12 1/9/10). Mandates equal pay for the same kind of work regardless of gender.

Mark Kirk's sponsorship and prior voting record shows that horses mean more to him than ordinary people.

Stuart Kronish

Highland Park