What's the difference between America and Americans?

Mark Hertsgaard raises this question in his book The Eagle's Shadow: Why America Fascinates and Infuriates the World. For the most part I agree with Hertsgaard analysis of these two components, but I also feel that Hertsgaard gives the American people too much credit in some cases. He blames the government for our lack of knowledge in many cases. But, if I, an 18 year old college student, can find ways of accessing the information that he feels we are lacking, then why can't other Americans?
The American Government is purposeful, hypocritical, and manipulative. Americans are ignorant (by choice), selfish, and (also) manipulative. It's hard to outline exactly the differences when so often the line is blurry. For the most part, Americans shape the American Government and vice versa. Blah Blah Blah...More later!