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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California’s $4.2 Trillion (2026): California is a Brand-New Game!

—And the Business Risks Hiding in Plain Sight, Not Even an Effort to Hide Them.

The Life of Gasoline-From Liquid to Vapor- Then a Spark Causes an Explosion in the Piston Chamber:

How Gasoline Becomes a Burnable Vapor—And Why Carburetors and Fuel Injection Do It Differently

Donna Summer: The True Story Behind “She Works Hard for the Money”

(Often Misquoted as “I Worked Hard for My Money”)

Scallywag: meaning and etymology

Call a friend Scallywag and watch the befuddled look on their face.

Inside America’s “Culture of Fraud” Part III of III

Real World Fraud Case Studies (2026)

Inside America’s “Culture of Fraud” Part II of III

— and How to Reverse It in 2026

5th Grade Skills vs. Adult Functional illiterates

Workplace Focused Comparison:

She Works Hard for the Money: How Donna Summer Turned Empathy into an Anthem

I spend a lot of time writing about the pursuit of money. Donna Summer tells us how to get it.

“Do You Love Me”: By the Contours.

The Day Motown Caught Lightning in a Dance Step

Does the average Adult High School Graduate Have the Educational Level of a 7th- or 8th-Grader?

Short answer: Yes- based on current U.S. data, the average adult high school graduate reads at roughly a 7th to 8th grade level. Here’s the breakdown with citations:

“Taking a Quick Overview Assessment:”

Take a quick look at the situation, book, website, article, class, or meeting agenda, or subject to get a sense of it.

Self-Awareness vs. Situational Awareness: Part II of II

Self-awareness makes you honest. Situational awareness makes you effective. Together, they make you dangerous in the best possible way.

Self-Awareness vs. Situational Awareness: Part I of II

The Two Lenses That Decide How You Show Up—and How You Survive

(Deep Fake) Contemporary Media Manipulation (2020s)

Detection, Deflection, and Right-Thinkings:

The Spoon-Fed World of Individual Thoughts, Interpretations, and Opinions:

How Power Shapes What We Call “Reality”

Can a Church Corporation or a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) sue a municipality in California for discrimination for failure to abide by:

SB-4, SB-1037, AB-1893, AB-712, and SB-808 come into Play in the development approval process if the city, Such as San Diego, refuses to approve the project (ministerially), subject to state mandates.

“Fat Cat”

How a Pudgy Insult Became a Political Power Word

The Nightly Glass of Red Wine in 2026: Still a Vibe—Just Not a Vitamin

If your evening has a soundtrack, there’s a decent chance it includes the soft glug-glug of red wine hitting a glass. For years, that sound came with a comforting footnote: “This might be good for me.” In 2026, science hasn’t exactly corked the bottle—but it has rewritten the label: less is better, and “health benefits” are no longer the main tasting note.

The Nightly Glass of Red Wine in 2026:

From “Heart-Healthy” to Clear-Eyed Tradeoff

“Life in the Fast Lane” (Eagles)

“Life in the Fast Lane” sounds like freedom with the pedal floored—until you realize it’s written like a warning label. Built on a snarling Joe Walsh riff and framed by Don Henley and Glenn Frey’s sharp-eyed storytelling, it captures the seductive velocity of 1970s Los Angeles and the inevitable crash that prompts listeners to reflect on the risks and illusions of modern life.