This is a very thought provocking bit of history about how the agricultural segment of the economy has been manipulated by recomendations of the Committee for Economic Development.
Their policy recomendations have cause tremendous damage to this vital producer of raw materials.
As discussed in the speech linked below, the Committee for Economic Development (CED) advocated specific policies that gutted the agricultural segment of the economy in the early 50's.
Personally, I had never heard of this 'committee' before. Started in 1942 they have clearly not acheived their stated goal of
"Since its inception in 1942, CED has addressed national priorities that promote sustained economic growth and development to benefit all Americans."
"Membership is made up of some 200 senior corporate executives and university leaders who lead CED's research and outreach efforts."
yeah right -- how's that worked out for us Americans over the last 50 years
they are still in operation, above quotes from this link
http://www.ced.org/about/about-ced
Here is a transcript of a speech from 1983 to the National Farmers Union
http://willienelsonpri.com/peace/1248/willie-nelson-earth-economics.html
and they are still at it with a vengance
Family ordered to destroy 50,000 pounds of cheese (that is roughly $250,000)
http://poorrichards-blog.blogspot.com/2010/10/family-farm-ordered-to-destroy-50000.html
and S 510
and on and on and on
and such a nice group of down-to-earth, regular, hard working americans they are, too
http://www.ced.org/images/content/trustee/ced_2009_bot.pdf