We're mostly stuck with the development we've got, which isn't great (rail transportation is hugely inferior in the US as compared to other developed countries,

We're mostly stuck with the development we've got, which isn't great (rail transportation is hugely inferior in the US as compared to other developed countries, for example), because the US is a "vetocracy", to use a word the author mentioned. It's much easier to say no than yes, and new infrastructure is hugely expensive in part because of all the people who will fight it with everything they've got.