Hybrid plan offers fuel for thought.(Chicago Tribune)

News item: President Bush's national energy plan calls for $10 billion in tax credits over 10 years, of which $4 billion would be earmarked for consumers who buy hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles.

Why?

Why bribe consumers to buy more fuel-efficient cars when you don't pay them to buy safer vehicles?

Why not earmark $4 billion to help consumers buy anti-lock brakes, traction control and side-impact air bags?

The President was quoted as saying: "We will review and remove the obstacles that prevent business from investing in energy-efficient technologies," such as gas/electric hybrid engines that use batteries instead of gas for the most energy-wasting task of putting the vehicle's weight in motion.

Fine, …