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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“Spill the Beans”

Meaning and Origin of “Spill the Beans

Car Invoice Price and Dealer Markup: Part III of III

What to Say Back:

Car Invoice Price and Dealer Markup: Part II of III

The real negotiation usually begins when you sit down with the closer (a.k.a. the finance Manager or sales Manager)

Car Invoice Price and Dealer Markup: Part I of III

Smart Tips for Buying a Vehicle with Confidence

When The Customer Needs Your Talent and Services, You’re Their Best Friend—Until They Don’t- Then They Ghost You

Two decades ago, “relationship-driven business” was more than a slogan—it was a survival strategy. Today, professionals can combat “client ghosting” by implementing consistent follow-ups, personalized check-ins, and transparent communication to maintain visibility and trust.

“After I Pass Away”

No Conversation Needed

A Little Humor for All of Us LinkedIn Intellectuals

SB-4: Free Sacred Trinity Church (FSTC) of San Diego: Ministerial Review Procedure Specifically Tailored to Their Real Estate Development Projects

How to Keep Your SB-4 Project in the “Fast Lane”

Jumping Through Hoops: Real Estate Version

Introduction: A Metaphor That Became a Workplace Reality

Logic and Reason in a World of Abandonment and Manufactured Illusions

The world doesn’t owe us meaning—and that’s exactly why illusions sell so well.

“Light My Fire”: The Doors and the Enduring Legacy

Few bands captured the restless imagination of the late 1960s quite like The Doors. Formed in Los Angeles in 1965, the group—Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore—crafted a sound that blended blues, rock, jazz, Latin rhythms, and a theatrical intensity that set them apart from their contemporaries. Their music did more than entertain; it challenged conventions and mirrored the cultural upheavals of the era.

The “Real” Homelessness Numbers Feel Secretive—Especially for People Living in Cars: Part II of II

On almost any night, you can see a growing shadow population-people sleeping in cars, vans, RVs, or behind warehouses-highlighting the challenge of understanding what’s truly happening in your city. There exists in the consciousness of the observer an element of suspension rather than compassion and understanding.

“A Travesty of a Mockery of a Sham”: The Private Money Lender

Why Hard Money Lenders See the Industry More Clearly Than Anyone Else

“How Do You Like Me Now?!”

Toby Keith and the Defiant Breakthrough

The Bandwagon Effect on Social Media: Follow the Crowd

(What it is, how it works, why it’s powerful)

The Gatekeepers Have Lost the Narrative

— and Biased Journalism Has Been Stripped Down and Is Being Rebuilt in a Perverse Public View.

“It’s a 5 O’clock World.” Part I of II

“It’s a 5 o’clock world” means: the workday ends, and a sense of relief and freedom begins—typically at 5 p.m., the traditional end of the workday.

“I Love This Bar”: Toby Keith’s Iconic Country Song

Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar” is more than just a chart-topping single; it became a cultural symbol of American small-town life in the early 2000s. Released as the lead single from Keith’s 2003 album Shock’n Y’all, the track arrived in August 2003 (listed as 18 August 2003 in some discographies). It quickly became a staple of bar jukeboxes, tailgates, and country radio, reflecting a broader cultural resonance.

Legacy Media Isn’t Simply “Dying”: It Has Self-Destructed.

But it is also being systematically strangled by economic and structural failures that undermine its survival.

Why the “Real” Homelessness Numbers Are Secretive: Part I of II

—Especially for People Living in Cars: