Democrats are Pansies
As with most political issues, this is best explained with cows. Unfortunately not everyone can have two cows.
Private health care: You have no cows (unless you have almost all of them). In order to get enough milk you have to persuade the corporation that guards all the cows that you are not a milk thief. You have to pay them tribute in order to ensure that they will provide milk in the future.
The public option: You have no cows (unless you have almost all of them). In order to get enough milk you have to persuade the government that you are not a milk thief. You have to pay them tribute according to the number of cows you own in order to ensure that they will provide milk in the future.
Socialized health care: If you have cows, the government takes some of the milk to give to those who have no cows. You get all the milk you need whether you have cows are not.
Private health care: You have no cows (unless you have almost all of them). In order to get enough milk you have to persuade the corporation that guards all the cows that you are not a milk thief. You have to pay them tribute in order to ensure that they will provide milk in the future.
The public option: You have no cows (unless you have almost all of them). In order to get enough milk you have to persuade the government that you are not a milk thief. You have to pay them tribute according to the number of cows you own in order to ensure that they will provide milk in the future.
Socialized health care: If you have cows, the government takes some of the milk to give to those who have no cows. You get all the milk you need whether you have cows are not.