Non-essential federal workers will be in for about half a day today, but only to do work relating to securing things during the partial government shutdown which follows Congress' failure to reach a deal on a temporary spending measure. Republicans and Democrats are deadlocked over GOP attempts to derail or delay the three-year-old health care law. The Senate today is expected to reject the latest House GOP measure which still contains a health care delay provision.

So here are 7 different ways of looking at this mess -- with a corresponding soundtrack -- for your listening pleasure. (With apologies to Wallace Stevens)

#1 Descriptive:

Regardless of your political persuasion, there's a significant inability for Republicans and Democrats to talk with one another. A classic song for a classic problem.

#3 Dismissive:

It's no "All Things Must Pass" but Talking Heads' "Don't Worry About the Government" has a certain air of letting things work themselves out.

#4 Optimistic:

Maybe a bit too pollyanna, because at this point, nobody is trying to see it anybody else's way.

#5 Indifferent:

Ineffective government -- just like that dull knife that just ain't cuttin' -- isn't worth wasting another second on. Folks would be better served by getting lost in the groove.

#6 Paranoid:

Again, regardless of your political persuasion, the other side probably seems pretty scary right now.

#7 Resigned:

It's a mess. Might as well revel in it.