The following narrative is a description of the four core pillars that support the quality of life and their current state in America. Why does NetGain have this interest? Because so-goes America, so-goes income property values. And NetGain’s single-minded purpose is to provide value-added information that has a positive affect on everyone involved in the income property investment process. As NetGain sees it, there are four core components that form the foundation of a democratic country utilizing capitalism as its economic engine: (1) Security for the safety of its citizens, (2) the economy, (3) the quality of and availability of its educational system, and (4) the quality and coverage of its healthcare system.

When these four core components are positive and march in lockstep, a country is strong, productive, and opportunistic. Without these four components, other issues begin to fade away. This is not to diminish the importance of all the other issues that affect a country, but the four core components will determine a country’s continuing existence and its quality of life. Everything else determines the manner with which the country conducts itself.

The overarching responsibility of government is to provide an environment that supports the four core components. Government is responsible for setting and executing policy towards this end. Following is an expanded description of each component and an explanation of the interdependence of the four core components.

(1) Security for the safety of a country’s citizens

The four core components are stepping stones to each other, and the first step is providing safety for the country’s citizens. Without providing security for citizens, the economy fails, education takes a back seat, and healthcare disintegrates. After that, all other issues become irrelevant. When citizens are being killed, maimed or threatened, a country cannot function. The fabric of the country’s social makeup breaks apart, and the quality of life deteriorates. Security is the beginning of a citizen’s quality of life.

(2) The economy

After a country commits to and provides the resources to secure the safety of its citizens, it can focus on the economy. Here the government’s obligation is to provide an environment that offers employment for its citizens. The strength of a capitalistic-oriented country lies in the strength of its employment base. Employed people spend money and are the main catalyst that underwrites and drives an economy forward. Employed people are productive people and this translates into a better quality of life.

(3) The quality of education

Once a country is secure and its citizens are gainfully employed, it can focus on the next step: the education of its citizens. The inherent competitiveness of the world requires that a country have the best minds in all the critical areas that affect the quality of life. This insures the competitive edge necessary to maintain and grow the country’s employment base and continue funding the security of the country. Educated citizens have a better opportunity for employment and a better quality of life.

(4) The quality and coverage of the healthcare system

Now that the country is secure, has a strong employment base, and a well-educated population, it can focus on the final step, maintaining the health of its citizens. Unhealthy citizens can’t go to school for education, work at a job, or contribute toward the security of the country. A healthy society is a strong contributor toward a better quality of life.

The maintenance and consequences of these four core components are critical to a country’s quality of life. The degree with which the citizens of a country are secure, employed, educated, and healthy will determine the extent of the country’s strength, productivity, and opportunism.

Where is America today concerning the four core components?

(1) Security for the safety of America’s citizens

There is a great dichotomy that exists between America’s military might and its ability to use it. There is no doubt that America has the best trained, best equipped army in the world – that is, for fighting the conventional war that America’s military schools have taught. Unfortunately, today’s state of war is not conventional. There is no country to fight. The enemy is amorphous and has a value system diametrically opposed to America’s value system.

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