On the other hand, the U.S. launch system has killed fourteen people. Soyuz has killed four since the 1960s. Soyuz delivered three people to the ISS just a few days ago.

This is not about Russian vs. American tech, but about major design choices that were made.

SpaceX has already successfully launched and recovered a man-rated capsule, one which will have a launch abort rescue system (So does Soyuz, and so did U.S. space capsules, although Gemini was reaching a bit). First test launch of the SpaceX Dragon capsule to the Space Station (no passengers) is scheduled for February.

There are other companies hard on their heels. Of course, they will have setbacks too.

The U.S. has not opted out of the LEO manned arena. "U.S." and "government" are not synonyms.