I've got a chart here that shows our debt-to-GDP ratio. And while we did run deficits in the past, we now number our debt in trillions rather than in billions. And I think that represents a long-term danger, especially to the, the American dream.

After getting his masters degree Kirk taught for one year at a private school in London. "
In discussing problems in the educational system early in his congressional career Kirk addressed the brevity of his teaching career: “I did leave the teaching profession but if we had addressed some of the teacher development issues which I want to raise with you I might have stayed. The money was originally rejected by the state of Florida but reallocated to Illinois.

In January 2012 Kirk suffered a stroke; he has been hospitalized and his physicians expect long-term physical impairments but not cognitive ones. Born in Champaign Illinois he graduated from Cornell University the London School of Economics and Georgetown University Law Center.