It is my opinion that of the material assigned thus far in the Big Test, Chapter 5 contained the most meat for meaningful discussion in the class. For example, the important timing of the war and the predominance of the small tight-knit group of men with their hands on the right few levers enabled them to quietly effect substantial changes without going through the arduous business of passing laws and persuading the general public (page 60). This chapter also includes the official governmental positions and the role of the GI bill and the Vererans Department overseeing implementation.

Also, this chapter explains the rationale's from both Conant's and Chauncey's points of view, including the fundamental clash: between the promise of more opportunity and the reality that , from a point early in the lives of most people, opportunity would be limited (page 65).

Just food for thought.

Yes, isn't it scary how a highly influential person - in industry, government, or education can affect our lives monumentally without ever having to put their ideas a public vote. Every time I hear an account of some of these "commissions" of influential men, working behind the scenes, it gives me the willies!