You get a free pass to first. Americans of all political affiliations overwhelmingly support a public plan. Part of the reason for this is because these plans have a proven track record of offering a far greater choice of doctors than private plans do.

You steal second by recognizing that virtually every objective study has concluded that it will reduce cost in the system—for everyone. The Commonwealth Fund, one of the most respected foundations in the country, recently reported that employer premiums could be substantially lowered with the choice of a public health-insurance plan; a typical American family could save nearly $1,000 a year in reduced premiums alone. If containing costs is one of our biggest goals, how can we not do this?

You take third by showing that a public plan will guarantee improved access to our health-care system.