If Only it Were a Joke

The following quote is directly from an MSNBC article:

"France and Germany especially have suggested that the better response is not more government spending but tighter regulation.
The Obama administration has urged European nations to do more to restart their economies through financial stimulus. Mr. Obama is hoping that by showing a serious commitment to tighter regulation he can more easily persuade other countries to increase government spending and stimulate demand by consumers and businesses that would help pull the global economy out of a serious decline."

This would almost be hilarious if it weren't true. This argument is sort of like this:

Obama:You all should print a bunch of fake money.
Europe:We would much rather strangle the economy to make sure it never totally recovers
Obama:If I strangle the economy too, will you print a bunch of fake money?