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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Systemic Barriers to Learning Critical Thinking in U.S. Public Schools: What to Do About Them

When was the last time we heard of one or more classes designed to help children function in society, such as business mathematics? How about classes that contain education on obtaining a job, budgeting, awareness of the business, and profit-motivated industries, as opposed to public financing, and where public funding comes from, taxation, hidden taxation, inflation, and the reduction of the purchasing power of their hard-earned dollars from their wages?

Motivation Isn’t a Mood—It’s a System. Build It Like One.

When we discuss motivation, we often envision conscious decisions, such as setting goals, making plans, and propelling ourselves forward. However, the staggering revelation that up to 95% of our behavior is driven by subconscious processes—patterns and beliefs that operate beneath our awareness-opens a fascinating window into our minds. If we’ve ever wondered why we sabotage our own goals or struggle to stay consistent, the answer likely lives in this powerful, yet often overlooked, part of our mind.

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.

Sell the Sizzle, Not the Steak: How to Market Real Estate and Close More Loans Like a Pro

In the realm of real estate, facts are undeniably crucial—square footage, bedroom count, and location are all vital details. However, it’s not these facts that ultimately sell homes. It’s the emotions they evoke. This is where the timeless marketing principle of “Sell the sizzle, not the steak” comes into play. Instead of fixating solely on features, successful agents accentuate the experience, lifestyle, and emotional benefits that a property offers, tapping into the buyer’s emotional side.

Animal Farm and 1984: Power, Truth, and Control; A Comparative Review of George Orwell’s Writings

George Orwell’s Animal Farm (1945) and 1984 (1949) are two of the most influential works of political literature in the 20th century. Both novels explore the dangers of authoritarianism, the manipulation of truth, and the fragility of freedom. Yet, they approach these themes through different lenses: Animal Farm uses allegory and satire to critique the corruption of revolutionary ideals. At the same time, 1984 presents a chilling dystopian vision of a future dominated by surveillance and absolute control.

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