On the contrary, the real American crisis is not merely political—it is moral. We are confronted with a President whose character appears fractured, whose words and actions often stand in contradiction.

It is not enough to say, as Republican strategist Stuart Stevens suggests, that “an entire political movement chose him.” That may be true, but it does not absolve the deeper concern. Democracy may explain how power is acquired, but it does not justify how it is exercised.

If a leader is perceived as hypocritical and duplicitous—saying one thing while doing another—then trust becomes an impossible currency. And without trust, diplomacy falters.

How can adversaries, such as Iran, take seriously the promises of a man whose actions disrupt his own negotiations? To speak of peace while advancing conflict is to erode credibility on the world stage. No one bargains confidently with inconsistency.

In one moment, Trump claims to be negotiating with Iran to end the war, while in the next he contemplates putting boots on the ground. Reports indicate that just before military action against Iran, diplomatic channels had been engaged regarding its nuclear program—yet, without warning, strikes followed. Even now, the language of negotiation persists alongside the shadow of force.

Is it wishful thinking to believe that Iran—or anyone—can trust the United States under such conditions?

Even traditional allies in NATO and the European Union have shown signs of unease—questioning commitments and recalibrating expectations—after treaty disruptions, territorial rhetoric, and sweeping tariff threats. When consistency falters, confidence follows.

Indeed, this is the deeper problem.

And yet, perhaps this is not new.

History reminds us that humanity has long wrestled with its own contradictions. In the biblical account, the crowd chose Barabbas—a criminal—over Jesus. They freed one they feared and condemned one they did not understand. It was not simply a political decision; it was a reflection of human frailty.

Two thousand years later, the pattern feels hauntingly familiar.

We are still choosing.
Still weighing spectacle over substance, impulse over integrity.

Perhaps nothing has changed—or perhaps the burden has always been ours to bear.

For nations do not collapse in a single moment of chaos; they erode in the quiet compromises we justify, the contradictions we excuse, and the character we overlook.

And if we continue to choose power over principle, spectacle over substance, then the crisis is not the President.

The crisis is us.

By Rev. Renaldo McKenzie, Author of Neoliberalism, Globalization, Income Inequality, Poverty and Resistance

Reference:

Start Stevens, Political consultant Stuart Stevens recalls when Republicans made character an issue for the president, in Mississippi Today, published March 27th, 2026,

This is available in The Neoliberal Post at https://renaldocmckenzie.com and https://theneoliberal.com

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Host Renaldo McKenzie welcomes Dr. Nelva Lee to the Show and begins by asking her to share her story, and to elaborate on some of her statements made on an initial off-camera interview:

1. On Trade Schools, Certifications & Funding

You praise trade certifications as a pathway to economic mobility—but certifications themselves often require funding, materials, and institutional support.

Follow-up:

If certifications still carry costs, how does your model truly reduce reliance on student loans rather than simply shifting where the financial burden sits? Are you advocating for state-funded certification pathways, public-private partnerships, or employer-sponsored pipelines—and how would that be implemented at scale?

2. On AI, the Future of Work & Apprenticeships

Trade schools traditionally respond to current workforce demands—but how does your vision prepare students for a future shaped by AI, automation, and rapidly evolving industries?3. On Georgia’s Current Success

Georgia is often ranked highly in workforce readiness—so what, specifically, is missing? What gap do you see that others may be overlooking?4. On Funding, Equity & the Reality of Inequality

You emphasize quality education for all, but we know that funding disparities often mirror income and geography. How do you plan to equalize access in under-resourced communities without simply redistributing already limited funds?5. On DEI—From Critique to Replacement

Dr. Nelva critiques DEI—but critique alone is a shadow unless it casts a new shape.

Follow-up:

You’ve expressed concern that some DEI frameworks prioritize identity over merit—but how do you address systemic inequities that are themselves rooted in identity, history, and access?

You mentioned empowerment and outcomes—can you point to examples where DEI has failed, and what specifically would you do differently to ensure those same communities are not left behind?6. On Leadership & Personal Responsibility

You speak about creating opportunity systems—do you see yourself not just as a policymaker, but as someone actively responsible for generating those opportunities? What does that look like beyond policy—what are you building, right now, that reflects that vision?

Dr. Nelva shares her passion and her drives, hopes, and dreams. The episode was sharp to the point; Dr. Nelva held nothing back and was intriguing and interesting. This was a powerful episode.

Available on any podcast stream. Find your stream by visiting our main platform: https://anchor.fm/theneoliberalEmail us at info@theneoliberal.comCall us 445-260-9198.This episode is brought to you by The Neoliberal Round by Renaldo McKenzie in Association with The Neoliberal CorporationVisit The Neoliberal at https://theneoliberal.com and https://renaldocmckenzie.comThe Neoliberal Round is a (503 (c1) - Registered Non-Profit. You may donate to us via cash App $renaldomckenzie or via Stripe: https://donate.stripe.com/7sYcN48uybA...Your donations will help us to grow the Podcast and provide information about community free of cost.

In this prelude, Host Rev. Renaldo McKenzie introduces today’s guest, Dr. Nelva Lee—an educator, healthcare administrator, entrepreneur, and candidate for Georgia’s Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Lee is also the CEO of Concrete Build.

Renaldo introduces Dr. Lee and shares insights into the upcoming interview, noting that the conversation is grounded in questions previously posed to her. These responses will serve as the foundation for the full interview airing after this prelude.

The discussion begins with trade schools—what they are and how Dr. Lee’s healthcare experience informs her perspective.

Dr. Lee describes trade schools as career-focused programs that equip students with practical, job-ready skills in fields like healthcare, construction, and technology—without requiring a four-year degree. She emphasizes their role as a fast pathway to economic mobility, especially for students underserved by traditional academic tracks.

Drawing from her work as a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, she highlights persistent workforce shortages in roles such as CNAs and medical assistants. She argues the issue is not lack of opportunity, but a disconnect between education and workforce needs.

Her solution is to integrate trade certifications into high school, ensuring students graduate with both a diploma and a marketable skill, creating immediate income opportunities and reducing student debt.

The conversation then turns to Concrete Build.

Dr. Lee explains that Concrete Build is a real estate and financial platform that uses blockchain technology to tokenize property, allowing individuals to own fractional shares. Beyond innovation, she frames it as a solution to housing instability and economic access.

She connects housing to both healthcare and education, noting that unstable housing negatively affects patient outcomes and student performance. Concrete Build aims to create affordable housing while offering pathways to ownership and financial literacy.

On policy, Dr. Lee centers her vision on alignment between education, workforce, and real-world outcomes.

Her priorities include expanding school choice, ensuring every graduate earns a trade certification, and strengthening healthcare career pathways through school partnerships. She also emphasizes early literacy, particularly reading proficiency by third grade, and calls for greater transparency and accountability in education spending.

On ethics, Dr. Lee points to her work with vulnerable populations, including the elderly and foster children. She describes prioritizing patient care over financial pressures in healthcare settings and advocating for systems that better serve those often overlooked.

Her ethical approach is grounded in doing what is right, even when it is difficult or costly.

Finally, on DEI, Dr. Lee expresses support for equal opportunity while critiquing approaches that prioritize identity over merit or create division. She advocates for “true inclusion” focused on access, literacy, and economic empowerment, suggesting ineffective frameworks should be replaced with results-driven, student-centered policies.

This prelude sets the stage for a deeper exploration of these ideas in the full interview on The Neoliberal Round Podcast.

Available on any Podcast Stream. Find your by visiting our main Platform: https://anchor.fm/theneoliberal

Email us at info@theneoliberal.com

Call us 445-260-9198.

This episode is brought to you by The Neoliberal Roun by Renaldo McKenzie in Assn with The Neoliberal Corporation

Visit The Neoliberal at https://theneoliberal.com and https://renaldocmckenzie.com

The Neoliberal Round is a (503 (c1) - Registered Non-Profit. You may donate to us via cash App $renaldomckenzie or via Stripe: https://donate.stripe.com/7sYcN48uybAA2OEb9V93y06

Your donations will help us to grow the Podcast and provide information about community free of cost.