We're all DDs now >.>

[Kitfox]

snip

I don't even know what you're trying to say in that convoluted post. Healer's operate on a simple priority system: Is healing needed? Yes→Heal / No→DPS. That's all there is to it.

This style of play is supported by game mechanics. Because healers have the most powerful heals, they should be the primary healers in the party. But because healing never requires 100% GCD use, those spare GCDs should be used on other useful things, such as DPS, because the goal of all fights in the game is to reduce enemy HP to 0%.

That being said, all decisions in battle operate on that same principle: "Is this the most efficient way of achieving our goal?" That's why people use cannons, don't use Repose, use Regen instead of Cure, DPS instead of standing idle, and so on.

Design intent of abilities is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is function, which forms the meta (most effective tactic available).