I appriciate the help very much believe me!
I have the variables
similar to this, but the variables correspond to the form and the script variables
$value1 = $field{'forminput1'} ;
$value2 = $field{'forminput2'} ;
$value3 = $field{'forminput4'} ;
The script is printing the correct input variable as a flag in the document, so I know that it is correct, and recieved from the form input
the problem I am having is the ability to process and compare the string equality within the subroutine beyond the if statement
damn frustrating, it is, because as far as I can see, I am doing everything by the book