Thumbs Down

Wisconsin State Legislature

For refusing once again to bring Wisconsin’s drunk driving penalties anywhere close to the severity of the rest of the nation’s laws. The legislature did stiffen the laws, but only slightly. A fourth offense is now a felony if it happens within five years of the third offense.

FAA

For putting an end to the Fall Fest Ping Pong Ball Drop. For years the event was one of the highlights of the festival, but it is no more after the Federal Aviation Administration squashed it in response a safety complaint received after the 2008 drop.

Health Care Reform Haters

Just when the nation was primed for a real debate about how to contain health care costs, reform efforts got bogged down in waves of scare tactics about death panels, rationing, and the elimination of private plans.

TARP-Funded Banks

The federal government handed hundreds of billions of dollars to 600 banks in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to spur lending. Instead, many banks used the funds to buy other banks, repay debt, or make investments while cutting loans to small businesses.