Catholics kneel before God, not "to" statues, regardless of what you may perceive. We also don't think the saints and/or their statues are gods. There is only one God in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Growing up RC in the 50's and 60's, I remember lots of "devout and zealous" folks (even me) kissing many statues feet (particularly Mary) as well as the crucifix that were hanging on the wall (not to mention kissing the crucifix hanging on the end of the rosary when we'd say it. Friday afternoons during lent were the stations of the cross. Lots of genuflecting(sp) and rosary kissing going on then.