The much talked about "Cash for Clunkers" or the Car Allowance Rebate System seems to have been watered down by Detroit.  The fuel economy standards have been reduced amid fears that requiring the new cars that qualify for the system to actually achieve reasonable fuel economy standards would push consumers to imports.

The rebate program would now even allow an old pickup truck to be traded in for a new Hummer H3T as long as the pickup get 2 MPG less than the H3T's 16 MPG.  Considering the energy it takes to produce a new car it would probably be much better for the environment for those drivers to keep their pickup rather by a buying a new car with only a 2 MPG gain.