As distasteful as it might be, we need to enlist the aid of the socialists in opposing this provision. There reasons may be different from ours, but they will be opposed to any bill that enriches corporation at the public's expense. We need to show them that that is exactly what this is. We should seize the common ground and buy some time for more sensible reform strategies.
Yes. Obama campaigned opposed to this proposal, but is already equivocating and indicates now that he will not veto a bill featuring such a provision. Of course that's exactly what the insurance lobbyists, and thus Congress, have in mind.
We need to get liberals to understand what the individual mandate is all about. Real health care reform will involve getting out of the inflationary spiral produced by traditional insurance schemes. It won't involve insurance companies The individual mandate is a crass attempt by the insurance lobby to shut down such reform by herding everyone into their pen through force of law.