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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Makers or Takers: America’s Crossroads

America was built on a foundation of self-reliance, innovation, and personal accountability. Yet today, we face a pressing cultural and economic shift: too many are being incentivized to become takers rather than makers. This isn’t just a financial problem—it’s a philosophical one that demands our immediate attention.

The Moral Hazard of Dependency: Why America Must Reclaim Self-Sufficiency

Moral hazard is a term often reserved for insurance and finance, but its most corrosive form may be cultural. It occurs when people take on more risk—or exert less effort—because they don’t bear the full consequences of their choices. In social policy, moral hazard emerges when systems reward dependency over self-sufficiency. The result is predictable: fewer people strive to stand on their own, and more people settle into reliance on others—whether government, employers, or family—without a plan to regain independence.

“Just Going Through The Motions:” Turning Employees Into High Engagement Dedicated To Achieving Company Goals: Management Guide

For every minute, every hour, and every day that employees maintain a state of non-productivity, a company bureaucracy and a counterforce to productivity are created. Hiring more of the same is not the solution.

Welfare vs. Entry-level Job Comparison in California:

How did the term entitlements and benefits become so ingrained in the public persona? We can work and pay taxes, or choose to go on the welfare system, tax-free

1984 by George Orwell: Book Review

Published in 1949, George Orwell’s 1984 is a dystopian masterpiece that has become a cultural touchstone for discussions about surveillance, authoritarianism, and the fragility of truth. Set in a totalitarian state where the Party controls every aspect of life, the novel explores themes of power, control, and resistance in a world stripped of freedom.

The Jungle: The Novel That Changed America—and Why It Still Matters

When Upton Sinclair published The Jungle in 1906, his intention was clear: to expose the brutal exploitation of immigrant labor in America’s industrial cities. What he didn’t expect was that his vivid descriptions of unsanitary meatpacking practices would spark a national outcry and lead to the passage of landmark legislation. “I aimed at the public’s heart, and by accident I hit it in the stomach.” —Upton Sinclair

The Grapes of Wrath: A Timeless Portrait of Struggle and Solidarity

By John Steinbeck – A Review: When John Steinbeck published The Grapes of Wrath in 1939, America was still reeling from the effects of the Great Depression. The Dust Bowl had driven thousands of families from their land, and the promise of California as a land of opportunity lured many westward. Steinbeck captured this migration in a novel that is both a deeply personal family saga and a sweeping social critique. Eighty-five years later, its themes, which eerily resonate with our current social and environmental crises, remain hauntingly relevant.

List Hidden Taxation in the American Enterprise System

If there is any question about the top tax bracket being 70% or more, think again. Hidden taxes are the culprit.

Inflation as a “Hidden Tax”: What It Is, Who Pays, and Why It Matters

Economists have long referred to inflation as a hidden (or stealth) tax because it reduces the purchasing power of money without a vote or new legislation. Milton Friedman put it bluntly: “Inflation is a form of taxation without legislation.” He argued that it acts directly on cash balances and—through unindexed tax rules—quietly raises practical tax burdens as prices rise.

“Left Holding the Bag:” The Origin and Evolution

Early roots (Britain, 1600s–1700s). The ancestor of the expression was the British phrase “to give someone the bag to hold,” meaning to distract or abandon someone while others made off with the valuables—a figurative way of leaving a victim “in the lurch.” This phrase, which originated in the 17th–18th centuries in Britain, evolved to the modern usage of ‘left holding the bag’, with the focus shifting from the act of abandoning to the victim who is left with the unwanted burden.

The Power of Repetition: How Lies Become “Truth” and How to Fight Back

Propaganda, a potent force that thrives on a simple yet powerful principle: repeat a lie often enough, and it begins to feel true. This isn’t just a political tactic—it’s a psychological phenomenon deeply rooted in how our brains process information. Understanding why repetition works—and how to counter it—is not just important, but urgent in today’s media-saturated world.

Acres of Diamonds: How to Find Opportunity In Your Chosen Field

Suppose you’ve ever thought your big break lies in another city, another job, or another industry. In that case, Russell H. Conwell’s timeless message still rings true: “Your greatest opportunities are closer than you think.”

John Locke and His Significant Contribution to American Democracy?

John Locke, a 17th-century English philosopher, made foundational contributions to American democracy through his political philosophy, particularly in his work Two Treatises of Government (1689). His ideas profoundly influenced the Founding Fathers and the drafting of key American documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

“Send in the Clowns.” Origin and Meaning.

The phrase “send in the clowns” has both a literal origin and a figurative meaning that evolved:

For Zombie companies that do not have cash flow to sustain their business, they must issue more stock or borrow to keep operating. How does the ultimate collapse occur? Gradual, then absolute!

The collapse of a zombie company, a firm that cannot generate enough operating cash flow to cover its debt service and must rely on issuing equity or borrowing more, follows a predictable sequence of financial stress events. This predictability is crucial in understanding the systemic implications of such collapses.

"The Invisible Obstacle: How Secretive Bureaucracies Undermine Progress"

Many employees are so entrenched in their jobs as to create an aura of business activity without disclosing anything to the manager or the leadership. Sally has been with us so long that “I’m confident she is doing her job.” But Sally is deeply entrenched, while playing the quiet-quitting and quiet resignation. She is victimizing her company. This is particularly prevalent when affirmative action is part of the equation.

Mark Twain: The Life and Times

Mark Twain was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens on November 30, 1835, in Florida, Missouri, and grew up in Hannibal. This Mississippi River town later inspired the fictional St. Petersburg in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. His childhood was marked by both idyllic river life and harsh realities like poverty, disease, and slavery, which profoundly influenced his later writings.

The 1998 Long-Term Capital Management Collapse was a Significant Event in Financial History that Warrants a Detailed study.

The shortcomings of financial leverage, computerized annualization, market hype, and moral hazards. A great read is the book “Conspiracy of Fools,” about the collapse of LTCM.

What is the Impact of Financial Leverage On Investment Yields? Understanding the potential benefits of financial leverage can be a game-changer for your investment strategy.

The impact of financial leverage differs significantly between stocks and real estate, primarily due to differences in asset characteristics, financing structures, volatility, and income generation.

The Distinction between truth and Illusion in American Politics: An Analysis of facts, Frames, and the Post-Truth Challenges.

In an era where the battle between objective facts and manufactured narratives is shaping American politics, understanding the difference between truth and illusion is more crucial than ever.