There is a wonderful animation put together by a "medical student, computer geek, health policy wonk, weblogger, health care activist, and all around good guy." (he says so himself).
It make the delightful analogy of single-payer to how a High School Prom works.
Of course in my personal case that is a sad sad woe is me story. I actually was on the prom committee at my High School... and then got stood-up at the last minute by my date.
But that is beside the point.
Just go play the flash animation. He explains the analogy better than I can, so go listen. It's short and clear (flash animation): What Is Single Payer - It's Like A Prom
Wow. Somebody should give this student an A+
There is more at: What's Single Payer
Meanwhile check out his blog: OverMyMedBody