The Preamble – Episode Summary

Episode Title: How Hard Can It Be, Boys Do It? Plus, Fighting for Equal Rights After the Civil War, and Answers to Your Questions
Date: November 17, 2025
Host: Sharon McMahon
Special Guest: Professor Akhil Reed Amar

Episode Overview

This episode of The Preamble centers on exploring women’s overlooked vital contributions to American farming during WWII, the radical transformation of the U.S. Constitution through the Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th, 15th, and 19th), and how these themes help us understand today's debates about equality, citizenship, and democracy. Sharon also answers listener questions about proposed $2,000 tariff checks, 50-year mortgages, and Senate leadership dynamics.

1. Florence Hall and the Women’s Land Army

Segment: 00:00–12:00

Main Points:

• The episode opens with the story of Florence Hall, who led the Women’s Land Army (WLA) during WWII. She orchestrated the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of women into farm work to fill the labor gap left by men at war.
• Hall confronted skepticism about women’s abilities, demonstrated by headlines like “Can women really drive a tractor?” and dismissive nicknames like “farmerettes.”
• Despite little support or lasting recognition, her program was an unprecedented success:
  • Over 1 million women worked 13 million farm days in 1944.
  • Women with no prior farm experience learned new skills and took on vital roles.
  • The WLA offset labor shortages, achieved record harvests, and maintained the nation’s food supply.
• Postwar, Hall's efforts faded from memory, overshadowed by the “Rosie the Riveter” narrative until rediscovered by historians decades later.
• Notable line:
  • Sharon: “She had built one of the most successful mobilizations of women in world history. And she had done it without receiving lasting credit.” (11:40)
• Reflection: Hall’s overlooked leadership prefigures the evolution of gender roles in America—today, half of US farms have a female decision-maker.

2. Interview with Akhil Reed Amar: The Birth Equality Amendments

Segment: 14:56–33:47

Introduction to Guest

• Akhil Reed Amar is a leading scholar of constitutional law, discussing his book, Born Equal.
• Sharon lauds the book as “exactly what America needs at exactly the right moment” (14:57).

Key Discussion Points

A. The Novelty and Timeliness of Constitutional Study

• Amar: “It’s always timely. A study of America’s past, our constitutional tradition. It’s always, I think, the perfect time.” (15:12)

B. Abraham Lincoln's Progressive Legacy

• Lincoln, a Revolutionary: Sharon and Amar emphasize how Lincoln, seen as a progressive reformer in his own era, often surprises modern audiences given today’s partisan associations.
  • Sharon: “Abraham Lincoln during his lifetime was progressive...one of our most beloved heroes...was progressive at the time.” (15:54)
  • Amar: “No country has ever produced and then picked as its supreme leader...anyone better than Abe Lincoln.” (16:54)

C. Other Key Figures:

• Amar focuses on four influential reformers: Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
  • Notably, Douglass and Stanton forged alliances on voting rights and gender equality.
  • Amar: “Harriet Beecher Stowe writes to Frederick Douglass...introducing herself, calling him my brother.” (17:32)
  • “America’s greatest black man, Frederick Douglass, is right there alongside its first...female crusader, Elizabeth Cady Stanton.” (18:58)

D. Remaking the Constitution After the Civil War: The Birth Equality Amendments

(20:00–23:18)

• Multiple Amendments Matter:
  • The Constitution is an intergenerational document—transformed radically after the Civil War by Amendments XIII–XV, with the XIXth completing the "birth equality" vision a half-century later.
• Breakdown of Amendments:
  • 13th Amendment: Ends slavery, “We’re all born equally free.”
  • 14th Amendment: If you’re born in the U.S., “you’re not just born free, you’re born an equal citizen, whether you’re born male or female or black and white.” (21:22)
  • Early drafts included gender equality, thanks to Stanton, although full voting rights for women came later.
  • 15th Amendment: Ensures voting rights regardless of race.
  • 19th Amendment: Finally grants voting equality to women, post-WWI.
• Amar: “Three Civil War amendments in the 1860s and a 19th amendment in 1920. I call these the Birth Equality Amendments.” (22:00)

E. Birthright Citizenship & “Subject to the Jurisdiction”

(23:18–27:55)

• Sharon notes current controversies over birthright citizenship and asks Amar to clarify the intent of the drafters.
• Amar details the framers’ intent:
  • The phrase meant those born in the U.S. (except for children of diplomats) are citizens.
  • Even after laws changed, “children of slaves were citizens,” regardless of their parents’ status.
  • Amar offers a personal connection—he was born in Michigan to noncitizen, legal immigrant parents, yet became a citizen by birth.
  • “It’s really about the soil on which you’re born. On the day that you’re born, if you look up and there’s an American flag flying overhead, you’re subject to American jurisdiction.” (24:13)
  • Even at drafting, Americans recognized “illegal aliens” existed, but their children were citizens by birth.

F. Addressing Objections: Did Civil War Amendments Intend Only to Aid the Formerly Enslaved?

(27:55–30:07)

• Amar counters arguments that birthright citizenship was meant only for descendants of formerly enslaved people:
  • “We can amend the Constitution...but don’t ignore what the Constitution honestly says.”
  • The idea is you can penalize parents who break the law, but “you don’t impose penalties on the child. The child is a different person.” (29:10)
  • Know the actual motives and debates of the drafters before trying to change the law.

G. Due Process and Noncitizens

(30:07–32:38)

• Sharon asks whether due process protections apply to noncitizens.
• Amar explains:
  • The 14th Amendment draws a clear line: privileges of citizenship for “citizens,” but due process rights for “persons”—which includes all, citizen or not.
  • The type and amount of process can differ. For example, someone being denied entry at the airport gets fewer protections than a citizen facing loss of liberty—what Amar calls the “Cadillac of due process.”
  • “Everyone, even non citizens, to conclude, is entitled to fair procedures, to due process. But what process is due will vary according to circumstance.” (31:50)

H. Criminal Justice and Deportation

(32:38–33:24)

• Difference clarified:
  • Deportation isn’t considered punishment under the Constitution.
  • Criminal prosecution, regardless of citizenship, requires the full spectrum of legal protections.

Memorable Moment:

• Sharon to Amar: “Anything that you write is an immediate add to cart.” (33:47)

3. Listener Q&A: Contemporary Policy Debates

Segment: 33:48–47:40

A. $2,000 Tariff Rebate Checks

(38:32–41:14)

• Trump has floated the idea of giving Americans $2,000 “tariff dividend” checks.
• Sharon’s analysis:
  • Existing tariff revenue wouldn’t cover the total cost of such checks ($600 billion estimated).
  • Congress would need to pass a law, but none is moving; there are also legal and political barriers.
  • Treasury Secretary Besant: No concrete plan; may come as a tax cut instead.

B. 50-Year Mortgages

(41:15–43:39)

• Proposal to introduce 50-year mortgages to lower monthly payments.

• Sharon’s breakdown:

  • Would offer only a modest reduction in payments but drastically increase total interest paid ($1 million+ on a $450,000 loan).
  • Risks: Hard to build equity, especially for older buyers; benefits banks most.
  • “Fancy contorted mortgage schemes” played a role in the 2008 housing bubble—proceed with caution.

• Trump quote: “You pay something less from 30...all it means is you pay less per month, you pay it over a longer period of time. It’s not like a big factor. It might help a little bit.” (43:20)

C. Can Chuck Schumer Be Replaced as Senate Minority Leader?

(43:40–47:40)

• Some Democrats frustrated at the outcome of the recent government shutdown, raising calls for new leadership.
• Sharon explains the process:
  • Only about 10 Dems are needed to call a leadership meeting, and 24 to vote him out; possible, but unlikely.
  • Possible replacements floated: Elizabeth Warren, Mark Warner, Chris Murphy, Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar.
• Schumer’s strengths: He "gets people elected" and helps the party win seats—factors that insulate him from internal rebellion.
• Sharon: “If you are Chuck Schumer, you would probably rather negotiate behind the scenes and...step aside on your own terms rather than suffer the embarrassment of being forced out by the party you’ve led for a long time.” (47:00)

4. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sharon on overlooked history:
  • “Waiting half a century to be seen. Coming up next, my interview with Akhil Reed Amar...” (12:00)
• Amar on the timelessness of constitutional reform:
  • “It’s always timely. It’s the story that we Americans have in common.” (15:12)
• Amar on birthright citizenship:
  • “On the day that you’re born, if you look up and there’s an American flag...you’re subject to American jurisdiction.” (24:13)
• Sharon on Abraham Lincoln’s progressivism:
  • “Abraham Lincoln during his lifetime was progressive...it seems shocking to us...” (15:54)
• Amar on due process:
  • “Everyone, even non citizens...is entitled to fair procedures, to due process. But what process is due will vary according to circumstance.” (31:50)
• Sharon on 50-year mortgages:
  • “That is a huge trade off to cut your payment by a few hundred dollars. Right?” (43:39)
• Amar, gently on constitutional change:
  • “We can amend the Constitution...but don’t ignore what the Constitution actually honestly says. Follow it honestly.” (28:38)
• Sharon, wrapping up:
  • “Understanding is an act of hope.” (47:30)

5. Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic | Speaker(s) | Timestamp | |---|---|---| | Florence Hall & Women’s Land Army | Sharon | 00:00–12:00 | | Introduction to Professor Amar | Sharon/Akhil | 14:56–15:54 | | Lincoln's Progressivism & Key Characters | Amar/Sharon | 15:54–18:58 | | Seneca Falls and Women’s Rights | Sharon/Amar | 18:58–20:00 | | Civil War Amendments – Birth Equality Explained | Amar | 20:00–23:18 | | Birthright Citizenship | Sharon/Amar | 23:18–27:55 | | Intent Behind the Amendments | Sharon/Amar | 27:55–30:07 | | Due Process for Noncitizens | Sharon/Amar | 30:07–33:24 | | Listener Q&A – $2,000 Tariff Checks | Sharon | 38:32–41:14 | | Listener Q&A – 50-Year Mortgages | Sharon | 41:15–43:39 | | Listener Q&A – Senate Leadership | Sharon | 43:40–47:40 |

6. Episode Tone & Style

Throughout, Sharon maintains her signature accessible, conversational tone—fact-heavy yet engaging, unafraid to make bold connections or gently challenge conventional wisdom. Amar’s warmth and storytelling highlight the deep interconnections between historical figures and today’s constitutional debates.

7. Takeaways for Listeners

• Women’s Unheralded Contribution: Florence Hall’s WLA is a powerful example of transformative, unsung leadership.
• Constitution as a Living Document: Amar and Sharon make clear that America’s founding document is an evolving project—renewed by struggle, debate, and new amendments.
• Equality is Not Static: “Birth equality” is a project centuries in the making, shaped by reformers of every background.
• Contemporary Connections: Today’s most heated debates—citizenship, democracy, economics—are inseparable from these constitutional innovations.
• Be Skeptical, Be Curious: Whether considering mortgage schemes or changes to party leadership, listeners are urged to look past the headlines and examine the real consequences.

This episode of The Preamble underscores how historical clarity—uncovering stories like Florence Hall’s or dissecting the true meaning of 'born equal'—can equip citizens to engage thoughtfully with today’s challenges.