@dedndave,
There's a deliberate ambiguity in the statement about "American people think", viz., it may mean they think as individuals, or as a body or group. As individuals of course we do in fact "think", but not as a body, the "American public". "Public opinion" is defined by a tiny cadre of rich New Yorkers, plus a few others (not all US citizens, either) - somewhere between 30 to 3000 people (depending how you look at it) define "our" opinion, determine foreign policy and the results of elections, etc. It's in that sense my statement applies: the people don't think as a group, their thinking is done for them by a handful of people; they're told what to think.
Perhaps it's not reasonable, but I expect the statement to be taken in that way; since obviously it's ridiculous to say all Americans, as individuals, don't think. After all you and I are US citizens and we both think, right? So does Kelsey down at the corner convenience store; even politicians (and they don't get any more non-thinking than that!) think as individuals. Since it's stupid for me to state that I (as an American) don't think (!) I assume you'll realize I mean the other interpretation.
[edit] @hutch, just read your post. As u see I'm not saying "All Americans except me and a few select others are sheep"; rather I'm saying all of us, collectively (me included), don't "think" effectively about political issues. Rather, a tiny handful of the rich define our opinion, foreign policy etc. The least aware of Americans - Kelsey for instance - know that perfectly well. I hope you see the difference.
