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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SB-35: Tiny Home Subdivisions

SB-35 was enacted in 2017 and is a key piece of legislation aimed at addressing the state’s housing crisis by streamlining the approval process for certain residential developments.

When Political Ideologies Become Warfare Against the People

Warfare against the people is a powerful and timely concept. It suggests a moment when political systems, originally intended to serve and represent the public, instead become tools of control, coercion, or oppression.

Henry David Thoreau: Life and Major Works

Thoreau was one of America’s originalists and no conformist. From refusing to pay a poll tax to spending two years alone on Walden’s Pond, his super famous essay, "Civil Disobedience, reflects profound thinking and reasoning. Any enquiring critical thinker and non-conformist will want to explore this world-class historic character.

Peter Drucker: The Father of Modern Management

Peter Ferdinand Drucker (1909–2005) is widely regarded as the father of modern management. His pioneering work laid the foundation for contemporary management theory and practice. This essay examines Drucker’s biography, key contributions, influence on both the business and nonprofit sectors, and his enduring legacy.

Ralph Waldo Emerson: A Brief Overview Of A Great American Intellectual

Ayn Rand vs. Adam Smith: A Philosophical Comparison of Self-Interest

Ayn Rand’s many books are a preferred go-to for accumulating knowledge of self-interest, self-sufficiency, and one’s contribution to society. Her view is that by prioritizing self-interest, humanity as a whole will be better served. Adam Smith referred to this concept as the invisible hand.

History of Self-Sufficiency and Individual Accountability:

In America, we seem to have lost the supreme values of self-sufficiency and individual accountability, replacing them with collectivism and entitlement, where no one is held accountable. Our society has become a free-for-all frenzy without consideration of the long-term effects.

The Disintegration of Societal Foundations: A Critical Examination

The Power of Benchmarking: A Necessary Component Of Success

Benchmarking every task and project is not just a routine, but a crucial practice for continuous improvement. It helps in identifying opportunities for efficiency and informs data-driven decisions. This process provides an objective, reality-based view of performance, allowing you and your team to move past assumptions and guesswork.

Benchmark Each Task to Maximize Results: Calculating in Terms of Time and Effort.

In the context of evaluating various jobs, benchmarking is a crucial process that allows you to compare the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation of specific jobs against a standard or reference point. This reference point often plays similar roles in other organizations or industry norms. By doing so, you can ensure that your job roles are competitive, fair, and aligned with industry standards, which is essential for attracting and retaining top talent.

The History of Social Engineering:

The U.S. government is deeply intertwined with broader global trends in governance, psychology, and public relations. The term “social engineering” may conjure images of manipulation or control. Still, its application in the U.S. has a rich history, ranging from public health campaigns to education and economic policy. It’s similar to obedience training.

The 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified on December 15, 1791, is part of the Bill of Rights.

The 10th Amendment is necessary because it clearly separates the powers and authorities of the Federal and State Governments.

The Federal Supremacy Clause is found in Article VI, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution.

It establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties made under its authority are the supreme law of the land, overriding any conflicting state laws.

Temperance: The Virtue of Self-Control

Temperance is one of the classical cardinal virtues, often defined as moderation in action, thought, or feeling. It involves: Self-restraint, balance, and discipline.

How Many Radicalized Ideologies in America Rise to The Level of a Political Force of Dominance?

In the United States, many political ideologies have become dominant or influential forces in shaping policy, public discourse, and electoral outcomes. While the two-party system (Democratic and Republican) tends to obscure the diversity of thought, many more ideologies are widely recognized as having significant political influence:

A Chorus of Personal Liberty

People experiencing poverty and the middle class beat their drums, A chorus rising—“This freedom is all that comes.”

Our Dilemma in Life and Learning about Those Who Lie: From Coercion or Conviction?

It’s a widespread and distressing trend: in some cases, up to 90% of college students feel they must provide false feedback to their professors. This is not just to avoid being labeled as adverse to the ideological leaning and indoctrination of their professors, but to protect their academic future.

Government Gaslighting: Why Do We Tolerate It?

From inflation metrics that understate the rising cost of living to wage statistics that don’t account for income inequality, the American public is routinely fed distorted data. The illusion of transparency is just that—an illusion. Behind the curtain lies a pattern of manipulation that critical thinkers must confront.

Federal Interest Rate Cuts: Why Are So Many Calling for a--

The Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy is a powerful tool that influences the direction of the U.S. economy. Calls to decrease interest rates have grown louder, especially from sectors hoping to stimulate growth and boost investment. However, this approach is not without risks—particularly for the middle class.

The Great Stall of 2025-26

Far too many indicators are alarming, including move-up and move-down real estate purchases, mobility in job hunting, and technology replacing a significant number of employees, leaving too many unemployed without adequate new job prospects. The cleverly concealed inflation is not just a cause for concern but a ticking time bomb, and the emotional feeling of endless stagnation is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention.