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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Food Products with Natural Ingredients vs. Synthetic Additives- Quick Read

In today’s grocery aisles, consumers are bombarded with labels like “natural,” “organic,” “clean,” and “non-GMO.” These terms often suggest health and purity, but what do they really mean? Understanding the difference between natural ingredients and synthetic substances is essential for making informed choices.

Functional Illiteracy vs. Criminal Behavior: Part IV

Functional illiteracy is generally considered equivalent to low literacy. These terms are often used interchangeably to describe individuals who can read introductory texts but struggle to apply these skills effectively in everyday, practical situations.

Food Products with Natural Ingredients—and How Big Brands Are Changing

Consumers today are demanding transparency and simplicity in their food, which helps foster trust and confidence. Emphasizing this connection can reassure the audience about the industry’s direction and their role in supporting honest practices.

Functional Illiteracy in America: Part III of III

Daily Barriers, Human Stories, and a Policy Playbook for Change

Functional Illiteracy: Daily Struggles: Part I of III

Economic Imperialism and Military Imperialism: Part II of II

Economic Imperialism vs. Military Imperialism framed as two faces of contemporary tyranny:

Economic Imperialism: The Silent Tyranny: Part I of II

“Economic imperialism is tyranny without tanks—control through contracts, not conquest.”

“Chicken Scratches:” It’s About Penmanship, Not A New Dance Craze.

Commercial Loan Structures & Strategies: Guide for Income Property Investors (2026 Edition)

Introduction to Income Property: Lender Underwriting Guidelines and Practices Chapter II: Income Property Classifications

College Students Claiming Disability: How It Degenerates Quality Education

Does the process become a systematic form of fraud, like many other subsets of the American Enterprise? There appears to be systemic fraud (conning the system) in almost every subgroup of the American Enterprise. How much fraud in the American enterprise is possible without toppling the entire system?

Functional Illiteracy: Quick Read Part II fo III

A Silent, Systemic Crisis—and How to Fix It –Quick Read

A Silent Iliteracy Crisis in America: Quick Read Part I

“You Are So Beautiful”: Joe Cocker

How Joe Cocker Turned a Simple Lyric into a Timeless Anthem

“It’s a Wonderful Life”

A book and a movie

AI, Socialism, and the Future of Human Agency

Human agency is the capacity of individuals to act independently, make their own free choices, in their own best interests, and exert influence over their lives and in the world around them.

Conspiracy of Fools: A Book Review

Overview of Conspiracy of Fools by Kurt Eichenwald

The Creature from Jekyll Island:

A Second Look at the Federal Reserve by G. Edward Griffin:

Influential People and Bailouts by the Government:

A Century of Focused Intervention Protecting the Rich and Powerful, and Its Consequences

Bail-ins vs Bailouts: Two Paths to Crisis Resolution in Banking

More of the same; The rich people take significant risks- if anything goes wrong, the government borrows money out of thin air and fixes the problem. The ordinary taxpayers are left on the hook for losses. There has never been a greater moral hazard dividing the rich from the ordinary people.