COLIN READ is Professor of Economics and Finance at SUNY College at Plattsburgh, and a columnist for the Plattsburgh New York Press Republican newspaper. He has taught economics and finance for 25 years. His recent books include Global Financial Meltdown: How We Can Avoid the Next Economic Crisis, The Fear Factor and International Taxation Handbook (edited with G. Gregoriou). He has written dozens of papers on market failure, volatility, and housing markets, writes a monthly column in a business trade journal, and appears monthly on a local PBS television show to discuss the regional and national economy.