I think that the GI Bill might have been part of the rebound from what was a normal post-war depression, in a Keynesian sort of way, but it was a government payout program. It prepared a group of people that would have been typical Americans--farmers, merchants, factory workers, etc.--to become the white-collar and technically educated employees that the Ivy-Leaguers then running the country preferred. But it wasn't the reason for the postwar boom here, just as government wasn't the reason the world dug its way out of the Great Depression.
The reason for the American boom was a combination of the cyclical nature of the world economy, worldwide repopulation, and European and Asian industrial decimation as a result of the war. And I don't believe the GI Bill did anything to ensure that the U.S. will continue that dominance. I am happy that those soldiers got an extra benefit on a personal level, but I don't think it served the country any better than sending the WWI soldiers an advance bonus check would have. In fact, the latter might have been a better choice, because at least the soldiers would have chosen what to do with the money instead of the government.
You do realize that arguing economics with a libertarian is like arguing pot laws with someone for decriminalization.
So let me cut to the chase -- the debate centers around the problem of what should the government fund for the good of the people and the nation?
On the far left of that debate we have folks yelling everything, anything! And on the far right there are people shouting, Nothing! It's my money! The market is always right!
I like to believe that I'm somewhere in the middle. And that we should use reason and compassion to make those choices. That puts me in a difficult position, since it's hideously hard to muster a passionate argument for moderation. You don't see people marching for moderation or carrying placards that proclaim: Moderation Now!
I just happen to think that those people who have a talent and a desire for a thing, should be encouraged to pursue that field. I also believe that the market is amoral (not immoral) and it's up to us to put that powerful machinery to good use. And, that it doesn't benefit us as a country to have an underclass of desperately poor.
So, let the flaming begin.