“Like Ebenezer Scrooge,” you wax lyrical about the economic crisis that is gripping the world, “the markets are being haunted by the Ghost of Crises Past” (“A Crisis Carol,” October 8, 2011). And the crisis of 2008, dubbed the Great Recession, comes first to mind. The Great Depression is not far behind, though. Like Lehman Brothers, Greece should have been let go bust early on in the game. Much more is at stake at this stage. The crisis is not unlike gangrene, which can be life-threatening if it is not addressed in time. The dead tissue should be removed as fast as possible surgically or otherwise. If that is not done in time, a small limb such as a finger or toe may need to be amputated. More indecision, and a whole arm or leg may have to be amputated, as well. And this is how far the disease has gotten by now. Still more dilly-dallying, and it will be too late for any surgical procedure, no matter how radical. The European Union itself will go to meet its maker, and much of the rich world will face the consequences. Returning to your rendering of old Scrooge, this may well be the Ghost of Crises Yet-to-Come you mention in your carol.