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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Why RAM Matters:

The Invisible Engine Behind Computing Speed

“Why Me, Lord”: Kris Kristofferson-A Song of Unvarnished Grace

When Mission Creates Envy- Part II of II

How Leaders at Free Sacred Trinity Church and Optimum Health Institute Can Navigate Jealousy Without Damaging the Work

When Mission Creates Envy- Part I of II

How Faith-Based and nonprofit Leaders Can Navigate Jealousy Without Damaging the Work

“What’s Going On” – Marvin Gaye (1971): Empathy as Social Resistance

“Cats in the Cradle” – Harry Chapin (1974): Family & Regret

“Somebody to Love” – Jefferson Airplane & Grace Slick

“White Rabbit”: Jefferson Airplane

What inspired Grace Slick to write this timeless classic

“Fortunate Son”

– Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969): A Vietnam War Critique

“Sad Eyes” and “Turn the Other Way”

Two Sides of Emotional Restraint

What Is the Cumulative Inflation Rate Since 1913—and Why the Middle Class Can’t Get Ahead

Inflation is not an accident. It is a design feature.

Internal Rate of Return Is the Only Honest Measure of After-Inflation Investment Performance

Inflation distorts every nominal measure of investment success.

Dogs, Horses, and Mules: Part II of II

Three Kinds of Intelligence, Three Kinds of Loyalty

Dogs, Horses, and Mules: Part I of II

Three Kinds of Intelligence, Three Kinds of Loyalty

Taxing Paper Wealth:

The Intended—and Unintended—Consequences of an Unrealized Gains Tax

Upgrading Technology Is Not Enough: Technology Is Only 20% of the Equation- Part III of III

Why the 80/20 Rule Determines Whether Performance Actually Skyrockets

I’m Upgrading My Technology—and Expect My Performance to Skyrocket- Part II of III

Performance skyrockets only when the entire system evolves—not when one component does.

Performance Elasticity vs Role Elasticity in Job Performance

Performance elasticity and role elasticity are related but distinct concepts used in organizational design, labor economics, and management.

Government Data Revisions : Continuously Undermines Public Trust

Public trust in economic institutions does not collapse because numbers change. It collapses because the pattern, timing, and consequences of those changes consistently favor institutional authority over public understanding and public benefit. Revisions, in rare cases, are technically defensible. Their effects, however, are corrosive.

Silent Technology Bottlenecks:

When Organizational Growth Outruns Infrastructure Systems, Failure Will Result.