[DRAFT]Mayor Shot! Leader Takes Action! - SUBMITTED

[Totalstate]

Thanks everyone! Here is what I submitted. I admit I put in an option six, for high corruption nations. Whoever edits this, you won't hurt my feelings if you change any or all of the submission - I need some work on my humor, at least. Many thanks for editing, and the chance to submit an issue!

NEWSPAPER HEADLINE:"Parents Tell @@LEADER@@: Save Our Soldiers!"

DESCRIPTION:
You had been getting an increasing number of ever louder complaints from soldiers and parents about the poor quality of @@NAME@@ infantry weapons. Recently a @@DEMONYMNAME@@ infantry unit was overrun when their all issued weapons jammed. With the army's inaction, plummeting morale in the ranks, parents up in arms, and famous country music singer @@RANDOMNAME@@'s new pop song “We've Got Your Back Even Though @@LEADER@@ Doesn't!” a big hit, you've called an emergency meeting of all the players to come up with a solution.

VALIDITY:
All nations with non-zero military AND non-zero armament industry AND non-zero foreign aid budget (and maybe non-autarky?).

OPTION 1:
"THIS WEAPON IS A DISGRACE!" bellows heavily-bandaged Sargent Major @@RANDOMNAME@@. @@HE@@ slams @@HIS@@ issue weapon on the table, and the weapon misfires, shattering the donut service. Then @@HE@@ points the weapon at the ceiling and pulls the trigger. Click. "If you @@ANIMAL@@-heads can't give us working weapons," @@HE@ growls, tossing the weapon on the table, "at least let us bring our own!" @@HE@@ unslings a lever action deer rifle and manages to cock it before Army MPs drag @@HIM@@ out of the room.
Consequence: increase in arms manufacturing, bad morale, more corruption
Effect line: “the army has to carry every type of ammunition made”

OPTION 2:
“We shouldn't even be here,” pipes up middle manager Harvard Milquetoast, picking shards of glass out of his hair, “The army should have dealt with this already. Let's motivate them, by cutting their budget until they - Hey, be careful!” He is dragged out of the room by army MPs.
Consequence: cut military 10%
Effect line: “even the army likes carrots more than sticks”

OPTION 3:
“There's your problem!” says CEO @@RANDOMNAME@@, head of @@NAME@@ Best Weapons Inc., picking up the weapon, “This thing is an obsolete Mk. I, stamped out of cheap steel!” @@HE@@ strikes a patriotic pose and hands you a glossy brochure. “You know, if the army bought our new high-tech thermoplastic N-17, then voila, no more misfires!” @@HE@@ hands the weapon to one of your Generals, muzzle first. “We just need a little money for kick-,to finish the design and get rid of the melting problem, is all.”
Consequence: minor increase in military and administration, same total increase in armament's industry.
Effect line: “a good craftsman's tool salesman blames the craftsman's tools.”

OPTION 4:
“A LITTLE MONEY!,” roars General @@RANDOMNAME@@, taking the weapon by the magazine and waving it around. “Have you seen what they charge!? Weapon development takes forever, and our new drones are much more glam... urgently needed.” @@HE@@ got a crafty look on @@HIS@@ face. “Can't we just, uh, borrow some foreign aid budget to buy an existing weapon from Gallopavia or the United Federation?” @@HE@@ hands the weapon to the nerd sitting next to him.
Consequence: big increase in foreign aid, small increase in military
Effect: "army commandos train to raid budgets"

OPTION 5:
“Seriously?” says @@RANDOMNAME@@, your nerdy Minister of Saying No, taking the weapon and expertly safing it, “We can't afford any of that right now! If anything, we should cut out all foreign aid! As for this thing,” @@HE@@ racks the action, “there's nothing wrong with it a little grease and training wouldn't fix.” @@He@@ does something complicated to the weapon and hands it to you.
Consequence: military decreases slightly, tiny sliver of “war” from casualties, tiny increase to “spiritual” for chapels, foreign aid goes to zero, tourism drops.
Effect line: “if you turn a blind eye, try not to run into anything.”

OPTION 6:
Validity: high corruption.
“Be a hero, do it all,” whispers attorney @@RANDOMNAME@@, in the limo on the way home, “Sporting rifles, weapons research, Gallopavian weapons, everything. Our soldiers deserve the best, right?” He smiles and adjusts his hearing aid. “I'll collect the kick-, that is, the access fees, and let you know who to award contracts to, right? And don't worry, on my honor, you'll get everything coming to you.” He smiles and surreptitiously points his cufflink at you, “Could you speak up?”
Consequence: military corruption jumps significantly, top 10% income increases, scientific advancement drops significantly, foreign aid drops slightly, administration jumps significantly.
Effect line: there is no honor among thieves

=== Penultimate Version:

Comments addressed, thanks! Fundamental issue is: your nation's primary infantry weapon is bad and ends up in dead soldiers (early US M16 is not the only example) and political pressure from living soldiers, their relatives, weapon manufacturers, and pop culture.

Headline, description, and option 1 rewritten. Other options have minor narrative changes, added effect and consequence to option 4.

NEWSPAPER HEADLINE:"Soldiers Lost Due To @@NAME@@'s FAILURE!"

DESCRIPTION:
You had been getting an increasing number of ever louder complaints from soldiers and parents about the poor quality of @@NAME@@ infantry weapons. Recently a @@DEMONYMNAME@@ infantry unit was overrun when their all issued weapons jammed. With the army's inaction, poor morale in the ranks, parents literally up in arms, and famous country music singer @@RANDOMNAME@@'s new pop song “We've Got Your Back Even Though @@LEADER@@ Doesn't!” a big hit, you've called an emergency meeting of all the players to look at the weapon in question and come up with a solution.

VALIDITY:
All nations with non-zero military AND non-zero armament industry AND non-zero foreign aid budget (and maybe non-autarky?).
Plus, Options 1 has option-specific criteria.

OPTION 1:
VALIDITY: conscription only
"THIS THING IS GARBAGE!" bellows heavily-bandaged Sargent Major @@RANDOMNAME@@ and slams @@HIS@@ issue weapon on the table. The weapon misfires, shattering the donut service. Then @@HE@@ points the weapon at the ceiling and pulls the trigger. Click. "If you can't give us weapons that work," @@HE@ says, handing the weapon to the suit next to him, "at least let us bring our own!" @@HE@@ pulls out a lever action deer rifle and manages to cock it before Army MPs drag @@HIM@@ out of the room.
Consequence: increase in arms manufacturing, bad morale, more corruption
Effect line: “the army has to carry every type of ammunition made”

OPTION 2:
This meeting is unnecessary,” pipes up ruthless middle manager Harvard Milquetoast, picking shards of glass out of his hair, “The army should have dealt with this already. Let's motivate them, and cut their budget until they - Hey, be careful!” He is dragged out of the room by army MPs.
Consequence: cut military 10%
Effect line: “even the army likes carrots more than sticks.”

OPTION 3:
“AHA!” said CEO @@RANDOMNAME@@, head of @@NAME@@ Best Weapons Inc., fumbling with the Sargent Major's weapon, “This thing is an old STAN gun, stamped out of cheap steel!” @@HE@@ strikes a patriotic pose. “You know, if the army bought our new high-tech thermoplastic N-17, then voila, no more bending metal, no more misfires!” @@HE@@ hands the STAN to one of your Generals, muzzle first, while looking at you. “We just need a little money to finish the design and get rid of the melting problem, is all.”
Consequence: minor increase in military and administration, same total increase in armament's industry.
Effect line: “a good craftsman's tool salesman blames his craftsman's tools.”

OPTION 4:
“A LITTLE MONEY!,” roared General @@RANDOMNAME@@, taking the weapon by the magazine and waving it around. “Have you seen what they charge!? Weapon development takes forever, and our new drones are much more glam... urgently needed.” @@HE@@ got a crafty look on @@HIS@@ face. “Can't we just, uh, borrow the foreign aid budget to buy an existing weapon from Gallopavia or the United Federation?” @@HE@@ hands the weapon to the nerd sitting next to him.
Consequence: big increase in foreign aid, small increase in military
Effect: "army commandos train to raid budgets"

OPTION 5:
“Seriously?” says @@RANDOMNAME@@, your nerdy Minister of Saying No, taking the weapon and expertly safing it, “We can't afford any of that right now! If anything, we should cut out all foreign aid! As for this thing,” @@HE@@ racks the action, “there's nothing wrong with it a little grease and training wouldn't fix.” @@He@@ does something complicated to the STAN gun and hands the weapon to you.
Consequence: military decreases slightly, tiny sliver of “war” from casualties, tiny increase to “spiritual” for chapels, foreign aid goes to zero, tourism drops.
Effect line: “if you turn a blind eye, try not to run into anything.”

===== Version 2:

NEWSPAPER HEADLINE:"Soldiers Saved By GUNS THAT WORK!"

DESCRIPTION:
You had been getting an increasing number of ever louder complaints from soldiers and parents about the poor quality of @@NAME@@ infantry weapons. Recently an infantry unit was almost wiped out when all their issued weapons jammed, surviving only because they also had “real” weapons from famous country singer @@RANDOMNAME@@'s charity GUNS THAT WORK. With the army's inaction, poor morale in the ranks, parents literally up in arms, and @@HIS@@ new pop country song “We've Got Your Back Even Though @@LEADER@@ Doesn't!” a big hit, you've called an emergency meeting of all the players to look at the weapon in question and come up with a solution.

VALIDITY:
All nations with non-zero military AND non-zero armament industry AND non-zero foreign aid budget (and maybe non-autarky?).
Plus, Options 1 has option-specific criteria.

OPTION 1:
VALIDITY: conscription only
“The problem is our precious boys and girls have no interest in such ghastly things!” said “Moonbeam” Soymilk, jumping out of the potted plants and shaking grass out of her hair. “End Conscription now! End - ” She is dragged out of the room by army MPs.
Consequence: end conscription.
Effect line: “nothing like getting shot to focus the mind.”

OPTION 2:
This meeting is unnecessary,” piped up ruthless middle manager Harvard Milquetoast, sitting against the far wall, “The army should have dealt with this already. Let's motivate them, and cut their budget until they - Hey, be careful!” He is dragged out of the room by army MPs.
Consequence: cut military 10%
Effect line: “even the army likes carrots more than sticks.”

OPTION 3:
“AHA!” said CEO @@RANDOMNAME@@, head of @@NAME@@ Best Weapons Inc., fumbling with the shooter's weapon while stepping on the Mayor's hand, “This thing is an old STAN gun, stamped out of cheap steel!” @@HE@@ strikes a patriotic pose. “You know, if the army bought our new high-tech thermoplastic N-17, then voila, no more bending metal, no more misfires!” @@HE@@ hands the STAN to one of your Generals, muzzle first, while looking at you. “We just need a little money to finish the design and get rid of the melting problem, is all.”
Consequence: minor increase in military and administration, same total increase in armament's industry.
Effect line: “a good craftsman's tool salesman blames his craftsman's tools.”

OPTION 4:
“A LITTLE MONEY!,” roared General @@RANDOMNAME@@, taking the weapon by the magazine and waving it around. “Have you seen what they charge!? Weapon development takes forever, and our new drones are much more glam... urgently needed.” @@HE@@ got a crafty look on @@HIS@@ face. “Can't we just use the foreign aid budget to buy an existing weapon from Gallopavia or the United Federation?” @@HE@@ hands the weapon to the nerd sitting next to him.

OPTION 5:
“Seriously?” says your nerdy Administrator, taking the weapon and expertly safing it, “We can't afford any of that right now! If anything, we should cut out all foreign aid! As for this thing,” @@HE@@ racks the action, “there's nothing wrong with it a little grease and training wouldn't fix.” @@He@@ does something complicated to the STAN gun and hands the weapon to you.
Consequence: military decreases slightly, tiny sliver of “war” from casualties, tiny increase to “spiritual” for chapels, foreign aid goes to zero, tourism drops.
Effect line: “if you turn a blind eye, try not to run into anything.”

==== VERSION 1

Comments addressed. Fundamental issue is: your nation's primary infantry weapon is bad and ends up in dead soldiers (early US M16 is not the only example) and political pressure from living soldiers, their relatives, weapon manufacturers, and pop culture.

NEWSPAPER HEADLINE: "Soldiers Saved By GUNS THAT WORK!" “Mayor Shot! Leader Takes Action!!!!”

DESCRIPTION:
You had been getting an increasing number of ever louder complaints from soldiers and parents about the poor quality of @@NAME@@ infantry weapons. Recently an infantry unit was almost wiped out when all their issued weapons jammed, surviving only because they also had “real” weapons from famous country singer @@RANDOMNAME@@'s charity GUNS THAT WORK. With the army's inaction, poor morale in the ranks, parents literally up in arms, and @@HIS@@ new pop country song “We've Got Your Back Even Though @@LEADER@@ Doesn't!” a big hit, you've called an emergency meeting of all the players to look at the weapon in question and come up with a solution.
You and some VIPs are on an inspection tour at Fort @@ANIMAL@@'s range when a recruit accidentally discharges his weapon, hitting @@RANDOMNAME@@, the Mayor of @@CAPITAL@@, in the leg. In the resulting chaos, as the medics rip open the Minister's pants, one growls: “Six this month! Can't @@LEADER@@ do anything? If we get another one, I'm out ten @@CURRENCY@@!”
VALIDITY:
All nations with non-zero military AND non-zero armament industry AND non-zero foreign aid budget (and maybe non-autarky?).
Plus, Options 1 and 2 have option-specific criteria.

OPTION 1:
VALIDITY: conscription only
“The problem is our precious boys and girls have no interest in such ghastly things!” said “Moonbeam” Soymilk, jumping out of the potted plants and shaking grass out of her hair. “End Conscription now! End - ” She is dragged out of the room by army MPs.
“That @@ANIMAL@@-head conscript IDIOT shot me!” yelps the Mayor, clutching @@HIS@@ leg as the medic tries to work on @@HIM@@, “Ow! Ow! Ow! @@LEADER@@, conscription is killing me! Us I mean! Get rid of the draft!” @@HE@@ looks up at the CEO standing on his hand. “Hey, be careful with that!”Consequence: end conscription.
Effect line: “nothing like getting shot to focus the mind.”

OPTION 2:
VALIDITY: non-conscription only
“This meeting is unnecessary,” piped up ruthless middle manager Harvard Milquetoast, sitting against the far wall, “The army should have dealt with this already. Let's motivate them, and cut their budget until they - Hey, be careful!” He is dragged out of the room by army MPs.
Consequence: cut military 10%
Effect line: “even the army likes carrots more than sticks.”

“What @@ANIMAL@@-head IDIOT shot me!” yelps the Mayor, clutching @@HIS@@ leg as the medic tries to work on @@HIM@@, “Ow! Ow! Ow! @@LEADER@@, if these people can't handle weapons, let's just cut their funding until they can!” @@HE@@ looks up at the CEO standing on his hand. “Hey, be careful with that!”
Consequence: cut military by 20%.
Effect line: “beatings will continue until performance improves.”

OPTION 3:
“AHA!” said CEO @@RANDOMNAME@@, head of @@NAME@@ Best Weapons Inc., fumbling with the shooter's weapon while stepping on the Mayor's hand, “This thing is an old STAN gun, stamped out of cheap steel!” @@HE@@ strikes a patriotic pose. “You know, if the army bought our new high-tech thermoplastic N-17, then voila, no more bending metal, no more misfires!” @@HE@@ hands the STAN to one of your Generals, muzzle first, while looking at you. “We just need a little money to finish the design and get rid of the melting problem, is all.”
Consequence: minor increase in military and administration, same total increase in armament's industry.
Effect line: “a good craftsman's tool salesman blames his craftsman's tools.”

OPTION 4:
“A LITTLE MONEY!,” roared General @@RANDOMNAME@@, taking the weapon by the magazine and waving it around. “Have you seen what they charge!? Weapon development takes forever, and our new drones are much more glam... urgently needed.” @@HE@@ got a crafty look on @@HIS@@ face. “Can't we just use the foreign aid budget to buy an existing weapon from Gallopavia or the United Federation?” @@HE@@ hands the weapon to the nerd sitting next to him.

“A LITTLE MONEY!,” shrieked General @@RANDOMNAME@@, nervously taking the weapon by the magazine. “Have you seen what they charge!?!? Weapon development takes forever, and then you still have to buy the things!” @@HE@@ got a crafty look on @@HIS@@ face. “Can't we just use the foreign aid budget to buy an existing weapon from Gallopavia or the United Federation?” @@HE@@ gives the weapon to @@RANDOMNAME@@, your Minister of Administration.
Consequence: big increase in foreign aid, minor increase in military.
Effect line: “a fool and his money are soon parted.”

OPTION 5:
“Seriously?” says your nerdy Administrator, taking the weapon and expertly safing it, “We can't afford any of that right now! If anything, we should cut out all foreign aid! As for this thing,” @@HE@@ racks the action, “there's nothing wrong with it a little grease and training wouldn't fix.” @@He@@ does something complicated to the STAN gun and hands the weapon to you.
Consequence: military decreases slightly, tiny sliver of “war” from casualties, tiny increase to “spiritual” for chapels, foreign aid goes to zero, tourism drops.
Effect line: “if you turn a blind eye, try not to run into anything.”

“SERIOUSLY?” says the Administrator, expertly unloading and safing the STAN gun, “We can't afford any of that right now! If anything, we should cut out all foreign aid! As for this thing,” @@HE@@ racks the action, “there's nothing wrong with it a little grease wouldn't fix.” @@He@@ does something complicated to the STAN gun and hands the weapon to you.
Consequence: tiny sliver of “war” from casualties, foreign aid goes to zero, tourism drops.
Effect line: “if you turn a blind eye, try not to run into anything.”

[Fontenais]

DESCRIPTION:
You and some VIPs are on an inspection tour at Fort @@ANIMAL@@'s range when a recruit accidentally discharges his weapon, hitting @@RANDOMNAME@@, the Mayor of @@CAPITAL@@, in the leg. In the resulting chaos, as the medics rip open the Minister's pants, one growls: “Six this month! Can't @@LEADER@@ do anything? If we get another one, I'm out ten @@CURRENCY@@!”

I'm worried that the issue lacks notability. The mayor was shot because a recruit, through lack of experience, and possibly negligence, accidentally fired at the Mayor. That's unfortunate for the mayor, but the recruit is there to learn how to use weapons, and might be disciplined internally by the military. So far, the description doesn't really give Leader any real "issue" to resolve

[Merconitonitopia]

The The Issue section is to be written in past tense.

[Totalstate]

DESCRIPTION:
You and some VIPs are on an inspection tour at Fort @@ANIMAL@@'s range when a recruit accidentally discharges his weapon, hitting @@RANDOMNAME@@, the Mayor of @@CAPITAL@@, in the leg. In the resulting chaos, as the medics rip open the Minister's pants, one growls: “Six this month! Can't @@LEADER@@ do anything? If we get another one, I'm out ten @@CURRENCY@@!”

I'm worried that the issue lacks notability. The mayor was shot because a recruit, through lack of experience, and possibly negligence, accidentally fired at the Mayor. That's unfortunate for the mayor, but the recruit is there to learn how to use weapons, and might be disciplined internally by the military. So far, the description doesn't really give Leader any real "issue" to resolve

That's an excellent point.

Here's an updated version, with the description in the past tense. It generally requires war to be happening, but it does show what having a bad weapon leads to, rather than being subtle. It's funny that writing this showed to me why this problem, although it kills a lot of people and seem horrible, has a hard time getting traction with senior government leaders.

The issue is: if infantry weapons don't work well, what then? I know the US and I think the UK has dealt with this, others too. Options 1 and possibly 5 could be deleted, they're more outliers (although 5 gives lip service to "more training"), as people borrow the crisis for their own use. An option 6, where the existing weapon is upgraded, is actually what happened with the US M16, although that's included in Option 3 here.
1. End conscription
2. Force the army to figure it out.
3. Buy new domestic firearms
4. Buy new foreign firearms
5. Ignore it and stop foreign aid to boot.
Notice the headline changed, but I did not change the subject line, since the issue is the same.

NEWSPAPER HEADLINE: “Army Patrol Saved By GUNS THAT WORK!”

DESCRIPTION VERSION 2:
You had been getting an increasing number of ever louder complaints from soldiers and parents about the poor quality of @@NAME@@ infantry weapons. Recently an infantry unit was almost wiped out when all their issued weapons jammed, surviving only because they also had “real” weapons from famous country singer @@RANDOMNAME@@'s charity GUNS THAT WORK. With the army's inaction, poor morale in the ranks, parents literally up in arms, and @@HIS@@ new pop country song “We've Got Your Back Even Though @@LEADER@@ Doesn't!” a big hit, you've called an emergency meeting of all the players to look at the weapon in question and come up with a solution.

VALIDITY:
All nations with non-zero military AND >0% war AND non-zero armament industry AND non-zero foreign aid budget (and maybe non-autarky?). This still covers a lot of nations, I think.

OPTION 1:
[Validity: conscription in place]
“The problem is our precious boys and girls are too good for such ghastly things!” said “Moonbeam” Soymilk, jumping out of the potted plants and shaking grass out of her hair. “End Conscription now! End - ” She is dragged out of the room by army MPs.
Consequence: conscription ends
Effect line: “there is no reason to waste a perfectly good crisis.”

OPTION 2:
[Validity: no conscription]
“This meeting is unnecessary,” piped up ruthless middle manager Harvard Milquetoast, sitting against the far wall, “The army should have dealt with this already. Let's motivate them, and cut their budget until they - Hey, be careful!” He is dragged out of the room by army MPs.
Consequence: cut military 10%
Effect line: “even the army likes carrots more than sticks.”

Option 3:
“AHA!” interrupted CEO @@RANDOMNAME@@, head of @@NAME@@ Best Weapons Inc., picking up the weapon in question, “This thing is an old STAN gun, stamped out of cheap steel!” @@HE@@ struck a patriotic pose. “You know, if the army bought our new high-tech thermoplastic N-17, then voila, no more misfires!” @@HE@@ handed the STAN to one of your Generals, muzzle first, while looking at you. “We just need a little money to finish the design and get rid of the melting problem, is all.”
Consequence: minor increase in military and administration, same total increase in armament industry.
Effect line: “a good craftsman's tool salesman blames his old tools.”

OPTION 4:
“A LITTLE MONEY!,” roared General @@RANDOMNAME@@, taking the weapon by the magazine and waving it around. “Have you seen what they charge!? Weapon development takes forever, and our new drones are much more glam... urgently needed.” @@HE@@ got a crafty look on @@HIS@@ face. “Can't we just use the foreign aid budget to buy an existing weapon from Gallopavia or the United Federation?” @@HE@@ hands the weapon to the nerd sitting next to him.
Consequence: big increase in foreign aid, minor increase in military.
Effect line: “a fool and his money are soon parted.”

OPTION 5:
“Seriously?” says your nerdy Administrator, taking the weapon and expertly safing it, “We can't afford any of that right now! If anything, we should cut out all foreign aid! As for this thing,” @@HE@@ racks the action, “there's nothing wrong with it a little grease and training wouldn't fix.” @@He@@ does something complicated to the STAN gun and hands the weapon to you.
Consequence: military decreases slightly, tiny sliver of “war” from casualties, tiny increase to “spiritual” for chapels, foreign aid goes to zero, tourism drops.
Effect line: “if you turn a blind eye, try not to run into anything.”

[Australian rePublic]

Why is this a @@LEADER@@ issue rather than a police issue?

Mayor gets shot- mayor needs more police.

Mayor gets shot again- police did bad- punish police

[Totalstate]

Why is this a @@LEADER@@ issue rather than a police issue?

Mayor gets shot- mayor needs more police.

Mayor gets shot again- police did bad- punish police

OK, think I addressed this, by a new description. Also figured out how to edit the first post, and did.

[Australian rePublic]

If a conscript started shooting people, shouldn't he/she be court martialed? That's a matter for military court, not leader. If a military has worse weapons than civilians, why can't they just buy their weapons from the same place as civilians?

[Australian rePublic]

Also, for goodness sake, please remove the red text. Change it to blue or something

[Totalstate]

Also, for goodness sake, please remove the red text. Change it to blue or something

lol - okay

[Fontenais]

It's a bit painful to read with all the crossing out - do you think you could separate draft 1 and draft 2? Maybe have draft 1 spoilered? That would be the usual custom

[Totalstate]

It's a bit painful to read with all the crossing out - do you think you could separate draft 1 and draft 2? Maybe have draft 1 spoilered? That would be the usual custom

Sure, done. I admit I was a little lazy. Draft 2 is shown. Draft 1 with all the cross outs is spoilered.

[Fontenais]

OPTION 1:
VALIDITY: conscription only
“The problem is our precious boys and girls have no interest in such ghastly things!” said “Moonbeam” Soymilk, jumping out of the potted plants and shaking grass out of her hair. “End Conscription now! End - ” She is dragged out of the room by army MPs.
Consequence: end conscription.

I would probably cut out this option, It doesn't really connect to the issue at hand. People being upset about consciption is a different kettle of fish to people being upset about poor weapon quality

[Candlewhisper Archive]

You had been getting an increasing number of ever louder complaints from soldiers and parents about the poor quality of @@NAME@@ infantry weapons. Recently an infantry unit was almost wiped out when all their issued weapons jammed, surviving only because they also had “real” weapons from famous country singer @@RANDOMNAME@@'s charity GUNS THAT WORK. With the army's inaction, poor morale in the ranks, parents literally up in arms, and @@HIS@@ new pop country song “We've Got Your Back Even Though @@LEADER@@ Doesn't!” a big hit, you've called an emergency meeting of all the players to look at the weapon in question and come up with a solution.

Seems unlikely that a nation's military would be allowed to carry privately acquired armaments, or that a country singer wouldn't be prosecuted for arms dealing assault weaponry to the nation's soldiers. That bit of the narrative belongs in the options, not the premise.

Instead just have the soldiers complaining that their infantry weapons aren't up to scratch, and then have option 1 have the infantryman explaining the flaws and demanding you spend more on better weapons, then go from there.

[Totalstate]

OPTION 1:
VALIDITY: conscription only
“The problem is our precious boys and girls have no interest in such ghastly things!” said “Moonbeam” Soymilk, jumping out of the potted plants and shaking grass out of her hair. “End Conscription now! End - ” She is dragged out of the room by army MPs.
Consequence: end conscription.

I would probably cut out this option, It doesn't really connect to the issue at hand. People being upset about consciption is a different kettle of fish to people being upset about poor weapon quality

I agree, I thought it was a bit of a reach. I replaced Option 1, per the email following yours. Now Option 1 is "soldiers bring their own". That option had originally been embedded in the description.

[Totalstate]

You had been getting an increasing number of ever louder complaints from soldiers and parents about the poor quality of @@NAME@@ infantry weapons. Recently an infantry unit was almost wiped out when all their issued weapons jammed, surviving only because they also had “real” weapons from famous country singer @@RANDOMNAME@@'s charity GUNS THAT WORK. With the army's inaction, poor morale in the ranks, parents literally up in arms, and @@HIS@@ new pop country song “We've Got Your Back Even Though @@LEADER@@ Doesn't!” a big hit, you've called an emergency meeting of all the players to look at the weapon in question and come up with a solution.

Seems unlikely that a nation's military would be allowed to carry privately acquired armaments, or that a country singer wouldn't be prosecuted for arms dealing assault weaponry to the nation's soldiers. That bit of the narrative belongs in the options, not the premise.

Instead just have the soldiers complaining that their infantry weapons aren't up to scratch, and then have option 1 have the infantryman explaining the flaws and demanding you spend more on better weapons, then go from there.

Thanks for the comment! I read of one time in WW2 where a US soldier got a weapon in the mail, and I was exaggerating for effect, but I think you have a good point. So I put the "bring your own" option in Option 1, deleting the previous option 1.

I kept the cause of the incident being a tragedy (a unit being wiped out) rather than just complaints, in order to make it something the Leader would get involved in. Complaints would just get handled or ignored by the Army. There was an earlier email that pointed out the need for notability and caused the change from Version 1 to 2. I agree, and it's also consistent with the real world, from what I've read. It does make it darker, though.