Even when we spend billions on transit we build it badly. US obsession with turning Light Rail into a Frankenstein that tries to fill all roles (eg commuter light rail). The resistance to electrification and reliance on slow loco hauled trains. Billions thrown at beautiful but not functionally helpful stations (cough Moynihan or Transbay). Not aligning new transit with development and not implementing station area land use changes. Etc. And of course top it off with how little we get for the money in terms of track miles. It’s tragic really.