a tax goes into a public pot. mandate for insurance buys something for YOU

[mopinko]

that would be the difference. and a fee is something you pay to get personal use of a public asset.

see that? words have actual meanings.

[Bluenorthwest]

1. But a private company is not a public asset

[mopinko]

2. which makes it even less of a tax

and more of a payment, for something for your personal use.

[Old Codger]

3. not quite

It is a forced payment, amounts to a tax no matter what other words you wish to apply to it....

[mopinko]

4. it is not i that is applying words in unfounded ways.

and really, it is sad to see this sort of twisting going on here. an honest debate on the issues is great. semantic contortions, not so much.

[TransitJohn]

5. Payment no, extortion yes.

n/t

[Romulox]

6. I don't think this argument goes to any essential issue.

I object to the government ordering me to give money to a private, for-profit concern, regardless of how that transfer is characterized.

[Oregone]

7. Whatever you call its, its still wrong and stupid