I think you misunderstood what I said, or maybe I didn't phrase it right. Yes, of course, I would definitely talk it out first. I would never recommend walking out right away without trying to talk it out. But, from the OPs post, I got the impression that he has already tried this several times, and that this has been going on for quite a while. And that she doesn't seem to get the message. Hence, my suggestion to leave her for good. I never meant to imply blackmailing her ... that's stupid. I would never do that. My point was more along the lines of ... Ok, I've tried talking it through, she's not going to change. I'm outta here, for the sake of my own sanity and health. We only live once, and you cannot get hung up on one person, no matter how special, no matter what. That's how I see it.

I appreciate your advice, and it is very good advice. I don't employ "these tactics" because I never get a chance to employ anything I date, on average, less than one day a calendar year. I dated my last "girlfriend" more than four years ago

I definitely agree with you that calm and candid conversation is the best way to resolve conflict. However, my point still stands - one cannot expect others to change, one cannot waste their life waiting for someone else to change. We live only once. Try your best to make it work, but if it doesn't, get outta there and move on ... or die trying