A few days ago, we learned that the Massachusetts Connector was struggling to sign up all the residents who are liable to buy health insurance under the state's law mandating "universal" health care.

Now we learn something different: enrollment in the state's new subsidized health plan is growing faster than anticipated. Note the keyword: subsidized. To make these two stories add up, we must conclude that residents expected by officials to pay full-freight on the "universal" health care express are planning to miss the train.

Other unexpected news: those signing up for the subsidized plan are healthier than anticipated. So how come the state now forecasts spending one-third more than it had budgeted on the plan? Well, the higher numbers of enrollees are a factor, but let's not forget that these relatively healthy, newly insured are now subject to the same incentives of  "over insurance" as the rest of us, so the doctors and hospitals will be happy to give them unnecesary tests and treatments. Hey: the taxpayers will cover it!

What part of this worries the Commonwealth? That federal taxpayers won't pony up as much of the cost as Massachusetts wants! (That "greedy" George W. Bush, don't you know....)

Well, as a California taxpayer, I never ordered the people of Massachusetts to drag the burden of "universal" health care upon themselves. With all due respect, I say: "Solve it yourself, and keep your hands off my wallet!"