i know we can because we've done it before. at the end of world war ii when another generation returned home from combat they built the strongest economy and middle class the world has ever known. [ applause ] my grandfather, a veteran of patton's army got the chance to go to college on the g.i. bill. my grand, mother, who worked on a bomber assembly line was part of a workforce that turned out the best products on earth. the two of them shared the optimism of a nation that had triumphed over a depression and fascism. they understand they were part of something larger. they were contributing to a story of success that every american had a chance to share. the basic american promise that