After you’re finished trick or treating . . . .

Visit McClatchy’s website for their investigative reports on how Goldman Sachs has profited from – and perhaps abetted – the financial mess – Goldman Sachs. They’re goin’ live at midnight tonight.

McClatchy did some of the best reporting on two of the biggest stories of the decade – Iraq and the financial meltdown – so it’s always worth visiting their site.

Later,

And the winnah iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis . . .

We’ve noted several times before that Health, Inc., despite their furious lobbying against reform, has made out like collective bandits, particularly the insurance companies. But, as Time’s Karen Tumulty , writing with Michael Sherer, points out, the pharmaceutical and biotech industries did just fine, thank you – Nothing like a big bag of lobbying cash to help you carry the day

Here’s Ms. Tumulty on WBUR’s “Here and Now” this afternoon – Tumulty delivers the depressing news

Later,

Krugman makes several key points

In his column today (Krugman – waffle time is past; the facts say this is a good bill) lays it out. What’s likely to come out of Congress, while far from what we need (I would argue National Health, or at least single-payer, but that’s another story) is better than almost anyone could have hoped-for, given the enormous forces we’re up against.

He also reminds us that opponents to reform are still lying – okay, he doesn’t call it that, but when you ignore facts and continue to press your mis-informed case, that’s the same as lying in my book – and points to the truth.

And we should never forget, as he writes, that we are the ONLY industrialized nation in the ENTIRE WORLD that does not guarantee access to health care to every citizen. Health, Inc., and its ideological allies would have us believe our unique status is something to be proud of, that we’ve resisted the trends towards “socialism,” to use their term, but it’s just the opposite. In the name of protecting profits, we have denied basic health care to millions of men, women, and children. That is shameful.

Later,

Late Night Listening with The Champs

Da-da-da-da-da-da-DA, “Tequila!”

Too bad we don’t have film of them performing, but crank up the speakers and cut the rug!

Later,

Update on unemployment bill

The R’s filibuster is being broken as the Senate runs through a series of procedural votes. Progress Illinois has an update, including a video clip of Sen. Dick Durbin talking about what a jerk thing it is to block unemployment benefits when millions of people – yrs trly included – are out-of-work:

PI reports on UE

Later,

Back on the health care beat

Speaker Pelosi has introduced the House bill, which CBO has scored as saving more than $100 Billion over 10 years: CBO scoring of HR 3962

HuffPost compares the two – House, Senate reform bills

With dinks like Lieberman talking filibuster, Reid’s talking reconciliation again, which means he’ll only need 51 votes.

UPDATE – Tim Noah, at Slate, writes that the House bill is the better of the two – Pelosi has the edge

Later,

George W. Bush could never be bothered to do this . . . .

Obama honors the fallen

There’s a big difference between arrogance and leadership, and much of the difference lies in taking responsibility.

Later,

Something to look forward to . . .

As a former late-night disc jockey, I am eagerly awaiting November 13th:

Hoping our Savoy Theater (Savoy) gets it in.

And for some history: Radio Caroline

Later,

On deck – global warming bill

Hearings on Senate bill begin today

Bar being lowered on Copenhagen

Later,

Homestretch

Okay, Majority Leader Reid has announced his bill, with something-for-almost-everyone. I get the sense that, at this point, so many people are so exhausted that they’d like to just get it over with. People appear to be swallowing the “opt-out” provision (TPM – troops falling into line ), and AFL-CIO is signaling they can live with a tax on upper-bracket health insurance plans as long as the bracket is sufficiently upper.

Of course, there’s still the Senate Math I referred-to in a post the other day. Olympia Snowe, for example, is sounding like she feels she’s been snubbed.

Snark, and perhaps a grain or two of wisdom, from the Post – Horse trading?

Paul Krugman looked at the Massachusetts experience and sounded a note of optimism the day before Reid’s announcement – Krugman – this can work

Jane Hamsher, at FireDogLake, warns there is still much we need that isn’t in the bill – Jane Hamsher – don\'t pop the corks just yet

Center on Budget has reservations, seeing support for low-income households getting cut to help those of somewhat greater means – CBPP looks at the bill

The LA Times last weekend (also before Reid’s announcement) called it for the insurance companies – Windfall

House #2 Steny Hoyer (where was the Speaker?) said today the House bill is coming, and we may be disappointed (from TPM) – Hoyer – don\'t hold your breath

And, just in case we need reminding of what’s at stake here – Commonwealth – it\'s getting ugly out there

Later,