It's interesting that you think that, since it is quite clear that it is the other way round. The article has data both implying that the US is bad at startups

It's interesting that you think that, since it is quite clear that it is the other way round. The article has data both implying that the US is bad at startups (23rd in the developed world), and suggesting that a lack of medical coverage (as evidenced by a spike at 65 when Medicare kicks in) is a key factor. A sensible argument against the article might be to suggest reasons why this is the case, or doesn't matter (US startups do better despite fewer being started, 65 is the retirement age so natural to start a business then). But instead you make up some rationalisation about national character and a desire to "make it big". The only place I see national character fitting in is that despite the extremely adverse circumstances to forming a startup in the US, its still quite good at them because "making it big" is part of the national psyche in a way it isn't in say, France, who don't even have a work for entrepreneur ;) The US genuinely embrace entrepreneurs and small businesses as a good thing, a valid lifestyle choice and even an aspirational one, and the surrounding business culture reflects that: for example, in the UK it can be very frustrating as a hobbyist in things like electronics since businesses don't want to know, whereas I get the impression that companies in the US are more open to dealing with individuals who may or may not represent small businesses.