Heinen: Stretching a little for long-term changes

One of the realities of 21st century life is that we have become a society of short-term thinkers.

The impact of new technology, the deterioration of our political system and the distorting influence of money all contribute to a “want-it-now” mentality that often precludes our getting it at all. The lottery is an easy example, but the best is an election process that forces already vision-challenged elected officials to forgo responsible, sustainable policies for the common good for two-year, quick-fix, pay-for-it-later re-election schemes. Thinking 20, 10, even five years out is now simply too much of a stretch.

Dave Baskerville thinks we’d all be a lot better off, happier, healthier and more successful if we would stretch a little. He’s got some ideas on how to do that, and he’s inviting you to sign on to them. Baskerville is an advocate of “Stretch Targets,” which are strategies he developed over a 40-year business career and almost another 25 years as a consultant utilizing, to a large degree, the experience, knowledge and deep ties he developed from working and living in Japan. “I’m not an activist, I’m not a Democrat or a Republican, not an economist or an educator,” Baskerville says. What he is, though, is passionate about Wisconsin, its citizens—especially its kids—and about making this a better place for all.

The 80-year-old Madison native is also a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan, and it pains him to see Wisconsin fall so far behind Minnesota by various economic measures. And, having visited more than 110 countries as a result of work, volunteer and church activities, he is dismayed that the U.S. is outperformed so badly in educating our kids. He wants to do something about both.

Read the full article on Madison Magazine’s website.