[SUBMITTED] Hearts of Iron

[Jutsa]

This is another one of those more grim ones, frankly.

Any input, particularly on humor and irl debate on the subject, would be more than appreciated.

Draft 2.10

Title: Hearts of Iron
The Issue: @@RANDOMNAME_1@@ was given a medical ventilator in place of lungs, a hemiodialysis machine in place of kidneys, and an artificial heart, all while suffering from paralysis, amnesia, and a brutal cold. Despite wanting to do everything in their power to support @@HIM@@, doctors and hospital funding managers are concerned that this is just one of many cases where the limited resources could've been used to help people more likely to recover to a normal life. You've arranged a hospital visit to discuss this matter and score a few brownie points.
Validity: Must have Universal Healthcare OR Some Subsidized Insurance; Adult

Validity: Euthanasia is legal
Option 1a: "This one @@MAN@@, who is barely even alive at this point, is costing @@NAME@@ a fortune," explains @@RANDOMNAME@@, in charge of the Northwest @@NAME@@ Hospital Fund, reading from a golden clipboard. "Despite @@HIS_1@@ requesting not to receive euthanasia, we think it's best for everyone if we pull the plug. Yes, it sounds cruel, but the resources would be better spent saving many more lives. Please, let us euthanize patients in conditions like these."
[effect] medical staff can legally quiet people who ask for too much gelatin

Validity: Euthanasia is illegal
Option 1b: "This one @@MAN@@, who is barely even alive at this point, is costing @@NAME@@ a fortune," explains @@RANDOMNAME_2@@, in charge of the Northwest @@NAME@@ Hospital Fund, reading from a golden clipboard. "Despite @@HIS_1@@ urge to stay alive, we think it's best for everyone if we pull the plug. Yes, it sounds cruel, but the resources would be better spent saving many more lives. Please, let us euthanize patients in conditions like these."
[effect] medical staff can legally quiet people who ask for too much gelatin
[Flag Change] [Euthanasia is legal]

Option 2: "N-nooo," whimpers the faint old voice of @@RANDOMNAME_1@@, at least you think: it's hard to tell with all of the medical equipment. "I... grandchildren... nooo..." @@HIS@@ nurse steps in after dispensing some hand sanitizer. "It is @@HIS@@ wish to live, and it should be our job to see to it @@HE@@ lives. We need all the money we can get! Relocate government funds from other departments, especially the military. We need more life and less death." You smell a strange odor from the patient's portable bed.
[effect] remains are kept in five-foot-thick iron caskets

Validity: No Universal Healthcare
Option 3a: "We wouldn't have this problem if insurance companies didn't have a safety cushion," argues the unusually wealthy @@RANDOMNAME@@, discretely replacing the golden clipboard with a yellow one. "We shouldn't babysit those which haven't worked hard on compromises, or spent all their money helping people like @@LASTNAME_1@@. Slash all subsidies to the insurance industries; let them fight for survival. If people still don't end up having enough money, well... that takes care of our limited resource problem. Win-win."
[effect] patients whose life savings were spent on health coverage are ignored

Validity: Universal Healthcare
Option 3b: "We wouldn't have this problem if only patients willing and able to pay up get treatment," argues the unusually wealthy @@RANDOMNAME@@, discretely replacing the golden clipboard with a yellow one. "We shouldn't babysit those whom haven't worked hard enough, or spent all their money on lip gloss and maple syrup. Ditch the universal healthcare system; let those who need it cover the costs. If they don't have enough money, well... that takes care of our limited resource problem. Win-win."
[effect] patients whose life savings were spent on health coverage are ignored
[Flag Change] [Removes Universal Healthcare]

Title: Hearts of Iron
The Issue: @@RANDOMNAME@@ was given a medical ventilator in place of lungs, a hemiodialysis machine in place of kidneys, and an artificial heart, all while suffering from paralysis, amnesia, and a brutal cold. Despite wanting to do everything in their power to support @@HIM@@, doctors and hospital funding managers are concerned that this is just one of many cases where the limited resources could've been used to help people more likely to recover to a normal life.
Validity: Must have Universal Healthcare OR Some Subsidized Insurance; Adult

Validity: Euthanasia is legal
Option 1a: "This one @@MAN@@, who is barely even alive at this point, is costing @@NAME@@ a fortune," explains @@RANDOMNAME@@, in charge of the Northwest @@NAME@@ Hospital Fund, reading from a golden clipboard. "Despite @@HIS_1@@ requesting not to receive euthanasia, we think it's best for everyone if we pull the plug. Yes, it sounds cruel, but the resources would be better saving many more lives. Please, let us euthanize patients in conditions like these."
[effect] medical staff can legally quiet people who ask for too much gelatin

Validity: Euthanasia is illegal
Option 1b: "This one @@MAN@@, who is barely even alive at this point, is costing @@NAME@@ a fortune," explains @@RANDOMNAME_2@@, in charge of the Northwest @@NAME@@ Hospital Fund, reading from a golden clipboard. "Despite @@HIS_1@@ urge to stay alive, we think it's best for everyone if we pull the plug. Yes, it sounds cruel, but the resources would be better saving many more lives. Please, let us euthanize patients in conditions like these."
[effect] medical staff can legally quiet people who ask for too much gelatin
[Flag Change] [Euthanasia is legal]

Option 2: "NO!" shouts @@RANDOMNAME_3@@, @@LASTNAME_1@@'s teenage grandchild, shoving @@LASTNAME_2@@ aside to save a bug that's probably disease-ridden. "These doctors can not be allowed to murder my grandparent!. If you're having trouble with funds, then put a boat load more money and resources into health care! We could take it from the military; we need more life and less death!" The bug bites @@HIM_3@@ on the arm.
[effect] remains are kept in five-foot-thick iron caskets

Validity: No Universal Healthcare
Option 3a: "We wouldn't have this problem if insurance companies didn't have a safety cushion," argues the unusually wealthy @@RANDOMNAME@@, discretely replacing the golden clipboard with a yellow one. "We shouldn't babysit those which haven't worked hard on compromises, or spent all their money helping people like @@LASTNAME_1@@. Slash all subsidies to the insurance industries; let them fight for survival. If people still don't end up having enough money, well... that takes care of our limited resource problem. Win-win."
[effect] patients whose life savings were spent on health coverage are ignored

Validity: Universal Healthcare
Option 3b: "We wouldn't have this problem if only patients willing and able to pay up get treatment," argues the unusually wealthy @@RANDOMNAME@@, discretely replacing the golden clipboard with a yellow one. "We shouldn't babysit those whom haven't worked hard enough, or spent all their money on lip gloss and maple syrup. Ditch the universal healthcare system; let those who need it cover the costs. If they don't have enough money, well... that takes care of our limited resource problem. Win-win."
[effect] patients whose life savings were spent on health coverage are ignored
[Flag Change] [Removes Universal Healthcare]

Title: Hearts of Iron
The Issue: @@RANDOMNAME@@ was given a medical ventilator in place of lungs, a hemiodialysis machine in place of kidneys, and an artificial heart, all while suffering from paralysis, amnesia, and a brutal cold. Despite wanting to do everything in their power to support @@HIM@@, doctors and hospital funding managers are concerned that this is just one of many cases where the limited resources could've been used to help people more likely to recover to a normal life.
Validity: Adult

Validity: Euthanasia is legal
Option 1a: "This one @@MAN@@, who is barely even alive at this point, is costing @@NAME@@ a fortune," explains @@RANDOMNAME@@, in charge of the Northwest @@NAME@@ Hospital Fund, reading from a golden clipboard. "Despite @@HIS_1@@ requesting not to receive euthanasia, we think it's best for everyone if we pull the plug. Yes, it sounds cruel, but the resources would be better saving many more lives. Please, let us euthanize patients in conditions like these."
[effect] medical staff can legally quiet people who ask for too much gelatin

Validity: Euthanasia is illegal
Option 1b: "This one @@MAN@@, who is barely even alive at this point, is costing @@NAME@@ a fortune," explains @@RANDOMNAME@@, in charge of the Northwest @@NAME@@ Hospital Fund, reading from a golden clipboard. "Despite @@HIS_1@@ urge to stay alive, we think it's best for everyone if we pull the plug. Yes, it sounds cruel, but the resources would be better saving many more lives. Please, let us euthanize patients in conditions like these."
[effect] medical staff can legally quiet people who ask for too much gelatin
[Flag Change] [Euthanasia is legal]

Option 2: "N-no, lets not do that," says @@RANDOMNAME@@, @@NAME_1@@'s teenage grandchild, giving CPR to a garden snake. "I refuse to let these doctors get away with murder. Let's-" @@HE@@ gives the snake another puff of air. "Let's put a boat load more money and resources into health care!" One puff of air later, "We could take it from the military; we need more life and less death!" The snake pathetically escapes and slithers away.
[effect] remains are kept in five-foot-thick iron caskets

Option 3: "What are you doing with Jake?" asks @@RANDOMNAME@@, a nature-obsessed guru with ever-so-slightly slitted eyes, to the previous speaker. "If you ask me, a good compromise is to neither kill them nor force them to live. Just let nature take its course! No euthanasia, no fancy machines; just good, old-fashioned death by the book and physical deterioration. You'll save a boat load of money as well as avoid being accused of murder." @@HE@@ winks slyly as Jake the snake cripples next to @@HIM@@.
[effect] doctors get paid for doing nothing
[Flag Change] [Euthanasia is illegal*]

[Trotterdam]

I expected a capitalist "does he have the money to pay for all those treatments himself?" option.

Also, why are you giving CPR to a snake? Is the snake injured?

[Baggieland]

Also, why are you giving CPR to a snake? Is the snake injured?

Yeah, the snake thing seemed a bit weird. There must be a better way to show that speaker 2 cares about the sanctity of life.

[Jutsa]

Fair. I'll try to think of something else for 2's speaker.
(any ideas proposed before {or even after} are welcome and appreciated)

@Capitalist Option: Yes. Very good idea.

[New Ladavia]

Yeah, the snake thing seemed a bit weird. There must be a better way to show that speaker 2 cares about the sanctity of life.

maybe you could have @@LEADER@@ almost step on a bug and the child pushes you away to save his life. Just a suggestion. Great premise. I love the golden clipboard signifying the hospitals have money there just not spending it on the right places.

[Jutsa]

Thanks. I was worried, and still am worried, that it was a tiny bit of a stretch.

[Jutsa]

Pretty big changes: Changed option 2 a fair little bit, and changed option 3 entirely.
(though the concept of "let people die" is still partially there, it frankly works so much better.)

3 was also difficult, because I ended up having to think about insurance and national health care coverage,
and it's just... wowh. Anyhow, I hope these two work* better.

[Chan Island]

Based on that title, I was expecting something related to a certain World War 2 strategy game.

The only thing I can add is that the stance of the patient (i.e.; wanting to stay alive) should be given more weight. That is a factor that is going to affect the decision a lot and at present I don't think it's being given its due.

[Australian rePublic]

Why aren't there enough of these machines to go around?

[Jutsa]

It's kinda hard to have a paralyzed person with amnesia enter the conversation unless you're somehow there with him...
or he was wheeled in to your office, which would be pretty funny actually.

I did try to squeeze that in with

Despite @@HIS_1@@ requesting not to receive euthanasia

and

Despite @@HIS_1@@ urge to stay alive

, but I agree it's not quite powerful enough.

@Aussie: Wellh, if I may be perfectly honest, there's no particular reason other than "a lot of people have a lot of heath problems".
I'm sure some countries could probably manufacture a lot of health supplies, but regardless I'm sure there's a deficit in budget.
I thought about possibly restricting this to nations with a lower health budget, and I still probably could,
but... on the other hand, nations with an already bloated health budget might not wanna put more funds into healthcare either.
eh, who am I kidding, 100%+ taxes are a thing.

I'm up for debate on that one.

[Jutsa]

Based on that title, I was expecting something related to a certain World War 2 strategy game.

I honestly tried to quote someone from there, but it really didn't work.

[New Ladavia]

I agree with Chan Island that when I first saw the title I thought of HOI4 (EU4/CK2 are much better). But overall option 3.0/3.1 are significantly better than in your fist draft. Keep up the good work

[Jutsa]

glad to read my rework's not gone to waste. Many thanks

[Jutsa]

Finally... after 11 days. >.>

Made option 2's speaker into two other guys. Idk if this works but, here's hoping it gives the debate more gravity.

[New Ladavia]

Finally... after 11 days. >.>

Made option 2's speaker into two other guys. Idk if this works but, here's hoping it gives the debate more gravity.

I like options two speakers so much better I agree it definitely ads character and importance to what your deciding. Good work Justa.

[Jutsa]

lol thanks.

edit: Thinking about it, someone with amnesia wouldn't necessarily remember their grandchildren... would they?
hmmmm... might have to tweak that one a tiny bit.

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Sure, amnesia can be pretty selective. While testing to see if someone recognises loved ones is one of the core tests of cognition and dementia, it can be preserved or lost separately to both short and long term memory capacity.

[Jutsa]

Thanks, CWA; I'll probably keep it then.

[Chan Island]

Wow, that option 2 speaker is now really powerful. I like it a lot.

[Jutsa]

What about option 1? Is its argument still strong enough or does the favor tip too much to the second guy?

(I don't care about the third option's strength as much but my gosh have you guys helped me improve this whole draft so much.)

[Trotterdam]

"Yes, it sounds cruel, but the resources would be better saving many more lives."

I think you're missing a word. Would be better spent.

[Jutsa]

thanks.

[Sougra]

thanks.

For Option 3b, I believe you're missing a word. "if only patients willing and able" should be "if only patients were willing and able" I may be wrong on that front. I think that Option 2 isn't given enough weight and that the comedy sort of undercuts the emotional argument that could be there. However, that may just be me.

[Trotterdam]

For Option 3b, I believe you're missing a word. "if only patients willing and able" should be "if only patients were willing and able" I may be wrong on that front. I think that Option 2 isn't given enough weight and that the comedy sort of undercuts the emotional argument that could be there. However, that may just be me.

No, it's saying that only patients who are willing and able should get treatment. It's the conditional "if only", not the wishful "if only".

[Sougra]

For Option 3b, I believe you're missing a word. "if only patients willing and able" should be "if only patients were willing and able" I may be wrong on that front. I think that Option 2 isn't given enough weight and that the comedy sort of undercuts the emotional argument that could be there. However, that may just be me.

No, it's saying that only patients who are willing and able should get treatment. It's the conditional "if only", not the wishful "if only".

Oh. That makes sense. I just didn't think of it like that. Thank you.