Do you even know how the mandate will operate?
I do! I do!
It will be a penalty collected by the IRS.
When we want to slide it by voters, who we know will be opposed to a tax increase, we'll call it a 'fine' - a penalty for not submitting to the mandate.
When we want to slide it by judges, or those concerned about unconstitutional government, we'll call it 'tax' - a power the constitution clearly allows.
In other words, we'll call it whatever we have to - equivocate till the cows come home - to expand federal power and enrich our buddies in the insurance industry.
Go team!