I'm not sure about this "Cash For Clunkers" program that the government has created.  The well-intentioned idea is to encourage people to buy new cars while also replacing low fuel-efficient cars with those that get better gas mileage.  If your old car gets less than 18 mpg, and you buy a new one that gets between 4 and 10 mpg better gas mileage, the government will give you a $3,500 credit.  If you buy a new car that gets more than 10 mpg better gas mileage, you get the full $4,500 credit.

The part I'm having a hard time with is what happens to the old cars that are traded in.  By law, these cars must be demolished.  The scrap yard can salvage a few parts NOT including the engine or the drive train.  That seems so wasteful.  If the old car still has some life left in it, then that remaining value is simply being destroyed. 

I think of this a lot like CFL light bulbs.  They are more energy efficient and cost efficient than standard incandescent bulbs.  Does that mean I should remove all my light bulbs and replace them with CFL bulbs?  No, I should continue to use the bulbs until they burn out, then replace them with CFL bulbs. 

It just seems like if the government wants to pour money into a project that will kick the economy back into shape, they could do it without destroying some of the value already in the economy.  The $3 Billion being invested in this project could be used in a way that isn't so wasteful. 

What if that money were put toward building or improving schools?  That would not only stimulate construction jobs, but would also help companies that manufacture all the equipment that goes into schools.  What if the money were put into some kind of scientific research?  Create a research facility and hire researchers to study subjects like weather patterns, better agricultural techniques, the oceans, or even space.  All of these fields require working people and manufactured equipment, both of which put people to work.  That doesn't even include all the service jobs that would be created to surround this research community:  restaurants, hotels, shopping centers, etc.  Sometimes it seems as if the government believes the only manufacturing done in America is by the auto industry.  Americans have all kinds of jobs, and we can make anything, so it's a shame that we're putting people to work by destroying something and then turning around and making more of it.

With all that said, you don't have to agree with the rules to win the game.  If I were in the market for a new vehicle and my old one was worth less than $3,500, I'd definitely try to take advantage of this limited time offer.