China implemented a nationwide high speed rail network while California debated maybe building a segment. It's possible to satisfy transit (and other) needs in a way that sustains growth and scales efficiently. Building more parking lots and highways doesn't really scale; Americans have so many domestic flights as a result.

Of course, if the goal is to profit from moving people around you get perverse rent-seeking and $15 cling wrap turkey sandwiches in a CIBO kiosk. I would argue moving people around easily and efficiently is intrinsically good the same way building a well-utilized library is.

The US has an incredibly successful geography that it has strategically not fully tapped. I'm just spitballing here but sending 70% of domestic freight via trucks is excremental. Having transit routes that run slower today than they did in the 20th century is unacceptable. Complete and utter lack of imagination or political willpower