All feedback appreciated!
Edit 1: Issue only valid for monarchies.
Edit 2: Reworded description for clarity and more background information. (Original wording left for reference, in case that turns out to be better.
Edit 3: Issue only valid for countries with a judiciary.
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Description: Raising the Standard
An unusually quiet week in @@NAME@@ has led to an arcane legal case being sensationalised by the newspapers. A disgruntled aristocrat is suing a souvenir shop for using @@HIS@@ Coat of Arms without permission and printing it on tourist tat. The obscure Court of the Lord Dragon, which oversees the use of Coats of Arms, is hearing the case, and has requested reform of such a sensitive area of the law.
Option 1:
"The situation is perfectly clear", explains the elaborately clothed Fleur de Lys, the Dragon-of-Arms. Producing an ancient and vast vellum sheet, she continues, dusting it down surreptitiously. "Coats of arms have been granted for centuries, to specific individuals and their families, as a reward for their loyalty and service. Only those who are worthy may display their own standard. What this shop has done is nothing more than identity theft and copyright infringement. Our Standards need standards! Reform the law so we can clamp down on this appalling crime, and put these thieves behind bars."
Result text: "Children are frequently imprisoned for doing their history homework"
Validity: All
Option 2:
"Let's not be hasty", interjects @@RANDOMNAME@@, your Minister for Culture, "this presents a lucrative opportunity. Why not resurrect jousting tournaments? Whoever wishes to be granted arms must first win the tournament. Think of the tourist and broadcast licensing revenue for such a unique sport! @@NAME@@'s tournaments will be the envy of the world!"
Result text: "Hospitals are overwhelmed by victims of impalement"
Validity: All
Option 3:
Your Interior Affairs Minister chimes in, "we've been meaning to reform who can vote and stand for election for a while now", @@HE@@ remarks. "It's clear that those eligible are far too numerous. If we restrict voting and office holding to amenable armigers, then we can do away with this inconvenient democracy nonsense entirely. Of course, we can always strip arms from those who are less supportive to ensure the right people win."
Result text: "Elections are purely ceremonial affairs"
Validity: Only for nations with elections
Option 4:
A grubby @@MAN@@ in the protest outside has somehow procured a megaphone. "Down with all aristocrats! Abolish this archaic and irrelevant system. Equality for all!" is all @@HE@@ manages to say before the megaphone is wrestled from @@HIS@@ hands. @@HE@@ is hauled off before @@HE@@ has a chance to elaborate further.
Result text: "The Tragedy of the Commons becomes official government policy"
Validity: Invalid if protests are illegal.
Option 5:
The Justice Minister ponders for a moment, before adding @@HIS@@ suggestion. "It appears to me, that there is only one fair way to resolve these disputes. After all, arms were granted initially to knights. Let these disputes be resolved by a duel to the death, and the winner becomes the one true rightful bearer of the arms in question."
Result text: "Disputes over doodles frequently end in murder"
Validity: All
Option 6:
The elusive head of @@NAMEINITIALS@@GCHQ emerges from a shadowy corner of your office. "If you want my advice, we should grant arms to everyone at birth. That way we can use it as a unique identifier for all citizens, and track any troublemakers before things get out of hand."
Result text: "Farmers rejoice as demand for vellum soars"
Validity: All