None of next week's insanity and clubbiness would be necessary if the justices had done what they should have done -- in this instance, at least -- which is to provide to the nation a live video feed of the entire public proceedings. That way, the hundreds of millions of Americans whose lives will be impacted by the outcome of these cases would be able, if they so chose, to watch and see for themselves what questions the justices ask and what answers the harried lawyers offer in return. If not for this case, then which? If not now, when?

Alas, to the surprise of no one, the justices announced last week that they would not permit the Care Act arguments to be broadcast live or on video. Instead, interested people will be able to hear the argument, but only in the afternoon, after the day's argument has concluded. The most eagerly anticipated (and most important) reality show in America for the past two years -- ever since President Obama signed the Care Act into law on March 23, 2010 -- will be entirely blacked out. That's just not good enough.

For once, the Supreme Court has what America wants to see: a "can't miss" daytime hit, a short, impactful series that would be watched by tens of millions of people interested in health care and the new law. Every smart classroom in the nation would tune in to see how justice works in America at its highest levels. Charles Lane is completely wrong and Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) is exactly right. What a unique opportunity now lost for the Supreme Court to educate and inform the American people about what the justices do in court.

Monday's argument, in particular, will have the air of a theatrical premiere -- or Opening Day. Everyone inside that courtroom will be looking around to see who else is there. There will be drama. When the argument begins, there will be great wit and insight. And the legal, political and economic stakes could hardly be higher. It's the sort of show that millions of Americans deserve to see live, as it unfolds, and not on tape delay. To me, no matter how the justices come down on the merits of the Affordable Care Act, they've already made a big mistake.