Bad libertarian!

They aren't free; you just spread your cost of admission among all taxpayers. :)

I got'cher endowment right here!

But seriously, I love the Smithsonian, and always am shocked whenever asked to pay admission - esp. if the museum ends up sucking. There's a reason those little plexiglass cases are locked, cause otherwise I'd be taking half my money back.

The only museum I've paid for, and felt that I'd gotten my money's worth out of, was the Met in New York.

I paid about 60 cents (student discount) to see the Hermitage in St. Petersburgh. That was definately worth it. ;)

I too went to the 'Merican history museum recently. I was very interested in the progress on "Old Glory" as well as the America at war exhibit. It turns out George Washington's uniform is there, and he had a very odd shaped body.

I was also glad to see that Jerry Seinfeld's Puffy shirt is still hanging.

However, I was digusted by the general "American" at the American History Museum. Sure, their taxpayer money is what pays for it, but do fat teenage girls really have to wear such tight clothes? Do all American males West of us Pittsburgh inclusive has mullets? And where the hell are all of these people getting T-shirts that say "GET UR DUN!... Support our troops!"