Cash for clunkers

One of the interesting things about this particular brainstorm is just how… governmental it is. While the merits of paying people large sums to swap a less fuel efficient car for a more fuel efficient car can be debated… the requirement that the old car, once delivered to the dealer, must be destroyed seems irrational. Can we not sell these cars to, say, Mexico? Or Cuba? Even our old beaters are likely to be far more fuel efficient than their antiques.

<> But, no. The engines must be drained of oil and then filled with sodium silicate, then run at full blast until the engine is trashed. As some of the videos show, there is a risk of fire doing this. And the clouds of smoke sure don’t look real “green.”
Does this make *any* sense?

Here’re some YouTube vids. These cars aren’t that old. And they’re being destroyed.
Here.  And here. And here. And here. And here. And here.