What more do you want and on whos dime? Cause I’m not willing for another museum to show/do what we already have.

I oppose, however, spending any taxpayer money on this project. I oppose the establishment of a “Presidential Commission” to study the concept. I oppose the use of government funding, even in combination with non-governmental sources.

The purpose of our government is essentially spelled out in the Preamble to the Constitution. Some logically will say that building this museum falls under “promote the general welfare”. I respond that it is incumbent upon the well-intentioned and the inspired to generate funding from private sources. The government’s role is in insuring the implementation of appropriate building permits and the other aspects of responsible establishment and maintenance. These activities will promote the general welfare in a project such as this.

As exciting as this museum sounds, it should not be a government project.

How much space should be allotted per state? Per region?

If each state were allowed 4,900 sq.ft. (70ft. x 70ft.) that would be slightly smaller than the 2nd AND 3rd level of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C.

“…where they arrived, what they encountered, where they might have moved, and how they transformed our nation.”

Speaking strictly from a British colonial perspective, because it’s what I’m most familiar with, The States our ancestors settled in, and the Territories that would become States, are extremely important if we’re to truly understand how they transformed our federation. They’re important because when these people settled, they brought their ideas and beliefs together to create the cultures of those colonies-turned-States, and then moved to other Territories and States. They settled there, had children and grandchildren there, and that ultimately led to us. Because Georgians and Minnesotans have different backgrounds, their cultures are different (though we still have our overall American culture as well). It’s not about catfish or barbecue, although cuisine is important; it’s about literature, religion, politics, and everything else that goes into making civilization. In order to tell the story of all the groups, I believe you need to tell it as specifically as possible – not just that “people came to America”. But, that people came to North America and settled in various States, enhanced their homes by virtue of shared ideas and ideals, and brought us to where we are today through great struggles and even greater triumphs. All this is, of course, after you tell the story of the Native Americans who arrived first and the histories, heritage, and culture of the respective tribes.

I’ve gotten all the way back to the 1600s in Baden-Württemberg for one family line, England and Wales in the 1700s for two other family lines and Scotland in the 1700s for another – these are all main branches, mind you; I’ve got French connections elsewhere, and possibly Spanish and African connections. So, my research has gone back very far. But, my personal concept of where I’m from is the State I was born in (and will hopefully die in). I’m from Georgia, and I consider myself a Georgian, a Southerner, and an American.

But, that’s really not the point of what I was trying to get at. My first point was about the various cultures of the States – and yes, each State does have individual cultures, as well as regional cultures and the overall American culture. I would hope that what makes each State unique would also go into a museum that purports to be about the “Making of America”.

In my second point, concerning E Pluribus Unum, the original meaning of that phrase was “Out of many States, one Country”. Again, I think this is important in regard to any museum that focuses on the “Making of America”. But, that’s just my own person opinion about the museum, based on personal beliefs.