Indeed, the evidence seems increasingly clear that ultra-loose monetary policy in general and quantitative easing in particular simply reduces the pressure to act.
In reality no one expected that Spain would reach its target, but it reduces the pressure to make more radical cuts at a time the economy is in recession.
They decline significantly from one year to the next because each barrel of oil taken from a reservoir reduces the pressure within the field, leaving less force available to push the next barrel of oil up the well.
So by getting the ball forward and missing out the midfield a direct-football team not only puts the opposition defence under pressure but it also reduces the number of turnovers close to its own goal.