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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Light Speed Differential: When the Rate of Change Breaks Human and Organizational Instincts- Part II of II

Light Speed Differential is not a passive motivational slogan

Light Speed Differential: When the Rate of Change Breaks Human and Organizational Instincts- Part I of II

Most people and organizations fail not because they move slowly, but because they misjudge how much faster the world has begun to move around them. The real risk is not changing itself. It is the difference between the speed at which we are built to adapt and the speed at which reality now evolves.

“Highway to Hell”

AC/DC and the Making of “Highway to Hell”

“Roger That”:

If you’ve ever said “Roger that,” you didn’t say “yes.” You said, “Message received and understood.” The phrase sounds cinematic, but its roots are technical, born from the need to convey certainty over noisy airwaves and crackling lines. And while “Romeo” replaced “Roger” in the modern phonetic alphabet, the word endured, becoming a timeless seal of acknowledgment from cockpits to control rooms to everyday speech.

Pretty Girls Dancing While Working Out

Take a short break from today’s pressure to enjoy the scenery

The Bee Gees and the Art of Staying Alive

Few songs are as instantly recognizable—or as enduring—as the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive,” Which not only topped charts in 1977 but also became a symbol of resilience and cultural identity during the disco era, shaping how we perceive that time.

Brainwashing vs. Propaganda:

Influence, Coercion, and the Line Between Them

“Brainwashing”: Quick Read

Where Influence Ends, and Coercion Begins

“Brainwashing”:

The Line Between Influence and Coercion

“On the Fly”:

How a Two-Word Phrase Came to Define Modern Life

“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.