While I don't disagree with you as you described the US situation, many places out there have societies and government regulations closer to the US than China and they have built successful railway networks, including high speed ones. Many countries in Europe, for example.
It might be useful to compare the US with those countries instead, and find out what differs in the US so it's holding it back.
It might be useful to compare the US with those countries instead, and find out what differs in the US so it's holding it back.