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.

Search Results

“Skate By”: Means Sliding by Without Doing Any Visible Productive Work or Expending Any Effort.

Have you met people who accomplish little, make little, or no progress, but seem to meander through life and appear as normal?

The California Shifting Real Estate Landscape: High-Density Housing on Steroids

The California Legislature has passed laws that significantly alter the development approval process, shifting it from local municipal jurisdiction to the state level.

SB-79: A Shocking Turn in California's Housing Laws, Where the Unthinkable Becomes Reality

How about allowing multiple high-rise apartment buildings in your neighborhood up to 65 feet tall, for the simple fact that the property is within ½ mile of a bus stop.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not an Unbiased Arbitrator of information.

The compilation of codes is written by people who are biased and have ideological leanings.

Successville: Welcome to The Friendly Town

Welcome to Successville, a satirical take on a society obsessed with negative connotations and warnings.

A Dripping Downslide, Cautioning Potential Buyers to Stay Out Of The Housing Market

Drip, Drip, Drip, a Very Sustained Slippage of Buyer's Interest to Take the Plunge to Purchase Owner-Occupied And Investment Properties.

Using Time Management Tools: Magnifying the Value of Our Time

We can magnify the results by leveraging our time to boost productivity and still allow time off for personal life and family.

It’s A Shoo-in for Me to Take Over When the Boss Croaks

This is a great line in History of Violence when the regional criminal enterprise boss wanted to expand his territory.

Random vs Non-random Events: California's Dark Forces

There are no random events in California. Dark forces tightly control everything. We are not allowed to question or obtain an entry pass to the elite club.

Eliminate Time Wasters in Personal Life and Business

A Good Percentage of Our Days is Spent Flittering Around Without Getting Results: The question remains, why?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where guests or relatives seem to prolong their stay? It's a familiar scenario that many of us can relate to.

Every visit follows a distinct pattern. It begins with a joyful phase of catching up and strengthening the relationship, then transitions into a phase where the guest or relative starts to feel at home in your space.

SB-1123: Planning and Zoning: Subdivisions: Ministerial Review.

This new law was signed into law on September 19, 2024 by California’s Governor Gavin Newsom and became effective July 1, 2025.

How Important Are The “5-C’s” in Credit Approval Decisions

The credit approval process is characterized by industry standards, best practices, related litigation references, and regulatory requirements from both state and federal levels.

The California Legislature allows the State to live with a backdrop of Marxist corruption.

“Los Angeles is one of countless examples of how the public sector will virtue signal to rob Peter, not to pay Paul, but to pay themselves, as they are not hiding the corruption.”

Empower Yourself: Are We Surrounding Ourselves with Positive, Kindred Friendships?

Individuals around us exhibit diverse attitudes and behavioral patterns. We may fit into one or more ourselves. Make sure, they are positive cohorts?

All Governments Have the Propensity of Robbing Peter to Pay Paul

All governments, from democracies to dictatorships, employ organized and systemic redistribution to maintain power. This is evident in the allocation of government funds, tax policies, and social welfare programs, all of which are designed to maintain the status quo and prevent social upheaval.

The More We Learn About the Habits of Others, the More Effective We Will Become in Our Personal and Business Lives

There is great value in determining who to associate with and who to avoid: Some relationships are better left alone

SB-4: A Legal Framework for Faith-Based Institutions and Non-Profit Colleges to Build Affordable Multi-Family Homes on Lands They Own

SB-4: This California legislation is designed to expedite the development process for affordable housing on lands owned by religious and educational institutions, thereby significantly boosting the housing supply.

Talking to Him Was Hitting a Brick Wall: Open Communication Seemed Impossible.

We often find ourselves amid challenging situations, where miscommunication acts as a formidable barrier. It's like being trapped in a maze, with no visible escape route.

What's the Difference Between Ignorant, Ill-informed, and Just Plain Stupid People?

Pondering this question makes little sense, but it is a fun exercise, all in the name of simple humor.