[Excaliber]

So, if Obama's Health Plan includes a provision to FORCE you to buy insurance and imposes a penalty if you don't; is that a tax?

George Stephanopoulos, a fellow for whom I have great respect, say's it is. The President was visibly taken aback at the idea. Essentially saying the Webster dictionary definition of "tax" does not apply in this instance.

Merriam-Webster's dictionary: 'Tax, a charge, usually of money, imposed by authority on persons or property for public purposes.'

What say you?