> USA appears to have weird inversion from how things could be done

The US has a corruption problem, which is not exceptional - I don't know what place you're comparing the US to that doesn't give the rich money and the right of way where and when they want.

People say it's a "race to the bottom" without realizing what that implies. It implies that data centers will simply get deals in localities that will not benefit from data centers if other places demand that they at least pay for themselves. Why would that happen? It happens because it will personally benefit the people who have been charged with making the decision.

> Once you get rid of "USA is a specially broken place"

Again, compared to who? You think they'll have an easier time in Europe? You think if they want to build them in Peru that the residents will benefit?