Cash for Clunkers: Good idea that might work for the wrong reasons

A "Cash for Clunkers" bill is currently making its way through Congress. The program would allow car owners to turn in their old gas guzzlers in exchange for a voucher for up to $4,500 to help buy a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle.

I think this is a good idea, in general.

But, sadly, I suspect that it would work for the wrong reasons.

Way too many people still drive their SUVs and large trucks because they apparently don't care about the harm that their vehicles do to the environment. Smaller cars generally cost less upfront than big gas guzzlers, and they use much less fuel. But SUV drivers bought SUVs instead. So these drivers are apparently not motivated by the price of a vehicle or the ongoing cost of fuel.

Perhaps they will be motivated by the prospect of a $4,500 voucher.

I hope they will be, because that would mean less gas guzzlers on our roads.

But it pains me to realize that we have to bribe people into doing the right thing.

And it pains me to realize that they would be doing it for the wrong reasons.