Dan J. Harkey

Master Educator | Business & Finance Consultant | Mentor

The American Enterprise

A Contrarian’s Look at America’s Enterprise—Economy, Government, and Leadership—Minus the Public-Relations Gloss.

Dan's unique perspective on the economy, the government, and our country's leadership is not commonly found in mainstream media. Designed to enlighten and engage you with what he believes is a refreshing dose of truth, his articles challenge the narratives often presented by mainstream media and encourage critical thinking about the state of our country's enterprise.

Dan offers workarounds and solutions when possible. His aim is to provide actionable solutions to the challenges we may face in these areas.

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Less Than Intelligent (Stupid) Decisions, from the California Government (Housing + Insurance Edition)

Why “fraudulently created, sold as reasonable policies” keep producing shortages, unaffordable premiums, and brittle systems — with case studies

Union Influences in Public Education: A Super Powerful Institution

- It is a major structural factor—and it intersects with the federal vs. state control debate in several ways:

“Brothers in Arms”: Dire Straits’

At its core, “Brothers in Arms” is a heartfelt lament—a quiet, emotionally restrained anti-war song that invites listeners to feel the pain and loss soldiers experience, fostering empathy and understanding.

“Money for Nothing”: Dire Straits

The lyrics are written in-character: from the viewpoint of working-class guys watching music videos and scoffing at how “easy” musicians seem to have it—fame, money, attention—compared with physical labor.

What Is the Ego?

What It’s Made Of, How It Forms, How It Evolves, and How We Outgrow Needing It “Fed”-to help us understand our inner processes and support our personal growth journey.

Hope Is Not a Strategy:

Why Optimism Without Action Fails (and What to Do Instead): A Better Approach-Hope + Strategy + Action:

The Car Repair Estimate Moment — From the Kid’s View

The car makes a sound it’s not supposed to make.

Financial Stress: Living on the Edge of Insolvency, With Nowhere to Turn.

The Car Repair Estimate Moment

California Benefits Cliff: The Plight of Low-Earning Workers When Earnings Rise, and They Lose Benefits.

What to Watch and Where They Hit While Attempting To Live on a Subsistence Income

Financial Stress: When There Is Too Much Month Left at the End of the Money

This isn’t financial advice—just a clear-eyed look and compassionate look at why so many households feel squeezed, what “financial stress” is, and what helps most when the margin of safety disappears, when a Flat tire needing replacement becomes a crisis.

Powwow Meaning, Origin, and How the Word—and the Gathering—Evolved

What Does “Powwow” Mean Today?

Low Wages: Getting By on $20 per Hour or Less (U.S. & California, mid 2025)

The wage floor, frozen in time and space.

Motivation (Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic):

Why Similar Effort Produces Different Outcomes

The Quality of Intelligence Intersects: Philosophy, Psychology, Motivation, Tenacity, and Economics.

The Quality of Skepticism Is a Valuable Trait

Are We Dumbing Down the U.S.A.?

A Data-Driven Look at Declining Achievement and Racial Gaps in American Education

How to live a spiritually based life without flaunting it

Living a spiritually based life without flaunting it is all about authenticity, humility, and quiet consistency.