The difference between America and other countries that have ridiculously high gas prices is that in many other countries, the majority of the gas price is from taxes that go to maintain the roadways and public transit systems (the US has mostly poor public transit except for in major cities with a dense population per capita). In addition, these taxes can go to pay for your education and health care.

In the united states we have to pay for our own education and healthcare. healthcare alone costs over 2500/year alone if you have to pay it yourself.