"We warned the president -- don't ever, ever agree with the Republicans,"

[TheKentuckian]

112. Ideologically they wouldn't dig it much but as constituted

currently the insurance cartel would benefit from such a thing by allowing a dumping ground for the least desirable of the no bargaining power market. As enacted, the pool is too small to have any impact on the market in the best case and will do everything they can to throw anvils by directing folks that need the most care (not to mention self selecting of those who need the most care to who is most likely to provide it) to the public option.

The public option is only as good as the environment it exists in and the rules that govern its operation.

The plan won't work or ever gain broad popularity and the mandate will always be particularly repellent because something like 85% of Americans are sequestered out of the exchanges (the plural marking another huge failure, it needs to be one national exchange).
I honestly don't see why we even are discussing a mandate of this construction, it is shockingly unbelievable. Why would an even arguably (or even aspiring to be) free people would tolerate an arrangement that allows for Congress to dictate that you may be compelled to not only participate in a for profit market but your employer, if they so desire, to make your election of the various products on the market at whatever cost up to X% of your income.

This has been argued very, very broadly on the commerce clause and to get this particular inept construction through the case is made for essentially unlimited government empowered to order your nickles and dimes of AFTER TAX income which means we are literally arguing against any level of financial liberty for all without enough wealth and/or income to meet the mandates.

Throw in being in the midst of serious issues of corporate capture of government and unlimited money and I have to ask how is the idea not insane? Well intentioned maybe but batshit crazy for sure. How many logs does this inferno need?