(This story is an ‘Alan remake’ of a video I saw that defined much of today’s problems.  It’s not exactly as presented in the video but the moral of the story remains intact.)

     Many years ago on the ragged coast of Maine, ships would arrive often in the dead of night.  The harbor channel presented a clear and safe arrival, but just a few hundred yards north of the channel were jagged rocks just under the surface of the water.  There was little room for error and one ship after another would find itself wedged against these rocks.  The waves would relentlessly batter and toss the ship against the rocks. Once lodged, in most cases there was no hope for safe arrival.  As the ship would be beaten and torn asunder, the seamen would be forced to man lifeboats or swim to shore.  Many of them perished in their attempts.  The loss of life was becoming so common that a memorial plaque was placed in that town called the "Board of the Lost," honoring the dead who could not make it to shore. Wives became widows and children became fatherless because men were lost at sea and yet they were only a few hundred yards from safety.

    One day a group of men and women decided that something had to be done.  They formed a ‘lifesaving club’ for one purpose: To rescue the seamen so close to shore.  These individuals used their own funds to erect a small building right on the shore, to buy ropes, sturdy boats and all the necessary materials needed to literally row out to the sinking ships and rescue dying men. They carefully studied the rock formations and knew exactly where these small rescue boats could go.  They kept a vigilant chart of the tides on the front door so they would know what they were facing each and every night.  Some were appointed to study the weather, others to know exactly when ships were arriving and still others to manage the equipment and keep it in superb condition. As the sun set each and every evening, a small group of these lifesavers made their way to the building and diligently kept watch.  Their success was beyond everyone’s expectations. From the time the group was formed not one seaman perished. The "Board of the Lost" became a thing of the past.  Never again would wives and children see the name of the one they loved on that board!  This small group of lifesavers began to receive much attention.  People in the community got excited and wanted to contribute, both time and money.  Money became more plentiful and the lifesaving group began to grow.

    It didn't take long before someone noticed that the building itself looked old and in need of repairs.  Others began to feel the same way.  It was decided that the money should be used to erect a new and more modern building.  Still others felt that the lifesavers needed to have coordinated uniforms, something nice in keeping with their importance and status in the community.  Money was used to buy the nicest of uniforms for all the lifesavers.  Yet another group argued that lifesavers needed comfortable furniture and nicer decorations in their new building.  The lifesaving building became the show place of the town.  Finally someone suggested that the lifesavers needed to stop bringing the wet and smelly seamen inside the nice building with all that new furniture.  A supply of towels was kept outside for the men who were rescued.  They were ushered around the building and quickly shown the road back to the town.  The lifesavers could now spend their time inside with the other lifesavers enjoying all the comforts of home.

     One especially dark night a ship was once again stranded on the rocks.  The Lifesavers inside were busy admiring their clothing, talking among themselves about how the building could look even better, enjoying a hot meal served up in the brand new kitchen and planning the next big ‘Lifesaver’s event.’  As they were enjoying the fellowship, feasting on their food and making plans for a spectacular event, 12 seamen died.  The next morning as bodies were washed upon the shore there was great confusion. Some were saying one thing, some were saying another. The community began to point fingers at the Lifesavers, accusing them of neglecting their duties. 

     An emergency meeting was held by the Lifesaver Board of Directors.  After much discussion it was determined that the title "Lifesavers" should be removed because it created too much pressure and liability for the group.  It was also determined that the mission of the group would no longer be ‘search and rescue’ on the rugged sea but ‘safety and comfort’ for members who were in good standing.  After all, with such a spectacular building, nice clothing, new furniture and a calendar filled with upcoming events, the club could no longer risk putting its own members in such danger.  It was decided by the Board that as long as members in good standing came to the building and had a great time with one another, the club was right where it needed to be.  Eventually the Lifesaver club moved off the shore because it was just too windy and cold for its membership.  It simply became known as The Club... and its members had great times together.

     Soon the "Board of the Lost" was once again filled with new names... almost every week.