Lawmakers in Washington, DC are polarized along party lines, and a government shutdown is looking more and more likely. The new fiscal year starts on October first, and unless the Democratic controlled Senate, and the Republican controlled House can agree on a spending measure-- there will be no money to keep the government up and running. Republicans are demanding a delay in the president's new health care law, and Democrats say-that won't happen.

Unyielding and, un-moved by Democratic calls for compromise - House Republicans are charging forward with their plan to de-rail U.S. President Barack Obama's health care measure - even if it means shutting down the federal government.

"Now, they try to blame us. We realize that but I've got to tell you, I've got a titanium backbone. Let them blame, let them talk, it's fine. They want the government shutdown."said Rep.Marsha Blackburn of R-Tennessee.

The GOP stop-gap funding measure does two things Democrats say they cannot live with.

Firstly, it delays implementation of what's called, "Obamacare" for one year.

Secondly, it would repeal a 2.3-percent tax on medical devices. It's estimated that tax will generate 30-billion dollars over the next decade-and the money would pay for the health care measure.

President Obama lashed out at House Republicans in his weekly address.

"A shutdown would be a purely self-inflicted wound-and that's why many Republican Senators and Republican Governors have urged Republicans in the House of Representatives to knock it off, pass a budget and move on."said U.S. President Barack Obama.

With neither Democrats, nor Republicans willing to yield on a funding measure to keep the federal government going - it appears the U.S. is headed for its first government shutdown in 17 years.

Beginning Tuesday - the start of the new fiscal year - the government would have to start furloughing hundreds of thousands of employees - and for a while millions more would continue working without paychecks.

The shutdown could slam the breaks on efforts to keep the American economy chugging along.

"Past government shutdowns have disrupted the economy. This shutdown would too."said Obama.

In some ways, House GOP leadership seems to be taking steps to limit the political fallout from a government stoppage.They approved a measure to pay U.S. troops - eliminating one of the most sensitive impacts, if the government grinds to a halt.Still, many Americans are unlikely to feel immediate effects essential services, police, mail delivery air traffic control and social security-would continue unaffected.

Democratic leadership in the Senate says -there is no way the senate will approve the House's version of spending measure. And, even if by some quirk the senate did - President Obama maintains he will veto the measure. So if the government does shut down the key question may be which side will voters blame. We may have to wait until the general election to find out.