Authored by Mike Shedlock via MishTalk,

The UK is at a crossroads. Fearmongering of "crashing" out of the EU is in play. The EU is playing "chicken".

In the classic game of Chicken, the first person to blink loses.

The name "chicken" has its origins in a game in which two drivers drive towards each other on a collision course: one must swerve, or both may die in the crash, but if one driver swerves and the other does not, the one who swerved will be called a "chicken", meaning a coward.

That's essentially the game the EU is playing with Theresa May and the UK.

Chicken Brexit Style

May has blinked so damn many times the EU fully expects here and the UK parliament to blink again.

May gave away 39 billion pounds, agreed to an odious backstop that has the potential of keeping the UK in a customs agreement forever, and received nothing in return.

May is headed back to the EU now with her head tucked under her legs in a posture of defeat in a futile attempt to win backstop changes that the EU has already nixed.

What's the point?

Brexit Plans

The Guardian reports One in three UK firms plan for Brexit relocation, IoD says.

That's a very good thing. The more planning for Brexit, the less fear and pain there will be.

Short-Term Pain

The UK has a choice: Walk away and have a bad 1-2 years with 39 billion pounds in hand, knowing the EU will have a far worse two years, or be made permanent fools of.

That is the choice.

The EU played May for a fool and she was then and remains now. May is on the EU's side. So why should they blink?

The only chance for a deal is if May and the UK parliament is willing to play chicken accepting a "crash" if the EU does not blink by removing the backstop.

No Chicken Crash

Here's the most Absurd Brexit claim Ever: "30-Year Recession, Worse Than 1930s"

Contrary to discussion of no food, no medicine, no air travel, and dogs trapped on the wrong side of the English Channel, the process will be relatively smooth.

Sure, there will be some short-term pain.

But the long-term gain is the UK will be able to negotiate its own trade deal, it can control its fishing rights, it will not be under pressure to join the Euro, and it can escape the massive idiocy of EU agricultural policy and over-regulation of virtually everything.

Choice at Hand

Short-term small amount of pain with enormous long-term benefits Long-term idiocy

So UK, which is it?