COMPASSION FASCISM. How else interpret the latest refinement of "mandatory purchase."

In a day dominated by familiar stump speeches, Hillary Clinton made news by saying she might allow workers' wages to be garnisheed if they refuse to buy health insurance. She has criticized Obama for pushing a health plan that she says would not require universal coverage.

Pressed on how she would enforce her mandate, Clinton said: "I think there are a number of mechanisms" that are possible, including "going after people's wages, automatic enrollment."

She said such measures would apply only to workers who can afford health coverage but refuse to buy it, which puts undue pressure on hospitals and emergency rooms. Under her plan, she said, health care "will be affordable for everyone" because she would limit premium payments "to a low percent of your income."

(And Gisele will dump Tom Brady and pay me a visit.)

Substantively, the senator's proposal is not that different from determining eligibility for financial aid. But to tie premiums to income (the shortfall from garnisheeing a few dollars from the minimum-wage alcoholic's check made up from a rather larger garnishment of the salary and bonus of the hedge-fund manager) further distorts the incentives people have to take care of themselves. Is there a more effective way than rationing by waiting time to discourage inefficient use of the emergency room? When I'm feeling provocative I sometimes suggest that claimants of gratis emergency room services be charged with theft.