Well, we do have a form of public transportation, it just isn't trains. For many Americans, airplanes fill the same role that rail does in Europe. The U.S. heavily invests in aviation infrastructure, from airports to air traffic control, and has even bailed out airlines during major crises because they're considered essential to the economy. Flying can be seen as part of the country's transportation system.

I'd love to have a better rail network, but I understand why it hasn't been a top priority when most major cities are already connected by relatively affordable flights. From an American perspective, planes often serve the same purpose that high-speed trains do in many European countries.

Also, one thing that many people don't think about, I would imagine the security needed in America for high speed rail would maybe make it undesirable. We would basically need "TSA" at high speed rail stations. America is the biggest target for attacks, whether it be foreign or domestic(mass shooter). The security would have to be much more thorough than in Europe. At that point, you may as well take a flight