There are a number of reasons why this is the case. America is very spread out: we have hugely more infrastructure to maintain per person than Europe. We also

There are a number of reasons why this is the case. America is very spread out: we have hugely more infrastructure to maintain per person than Europe. We also underwent a colossal post-war expansion fueled by a once-in-a-nation's-lifetime economic boom, and the results of that are very costly to maintain. I also believe that Americans are more price-sensitive with respect to taxes than Europeans are: we are willing to put up with worse stuff to avoid tax hikes. You're right that there is a problem, but the traditional solution of just maintaining it better does not appear to be a workable answer.