"Not wishing to be disturbed over moral issues of the political economy, Americans cling to the notion that the government is a sort of automatic machine, regulated by the balancing of competing interests"

This quote by C. Wright Mills suggests that Americans are not thinking about taking part in ethical disputes about the political economy. Instead, they choose to consider the federal government as a maker that is managed by the balance of various interests. This implies that Americans are not willing to take a moral position on the political economy, and rather prefer to focus on the practical aspects of the government. This quote also suggests that Americans are not thinking about participating in arguments about the morality of the political economy, and instead prefer to concentrate on the useful elements of the federal government. This could be viewed as a sign of lethargy towards the political economy, as Americans are not happy to take an ethical position on the concern.