We'll have to agree to disagree.
I can think of a few nice US airports, my home airport (TPA) being one of the best! Airports have been on a spending spree in the last few years. JFK, LGA, and LAX are improving. Otherwise, big city airports like Philly, Chicago, San Fran, DC, and NYC (etc) reflect the cities they're in - old and not in great shape.
I can't think of a single EU airport that I would consider "nice" except maybe MUC. Or HEL. Bus gates should be an automatic disqualifier (acknowledging MUC does this sometimes).
Finally, I'm absolutely fine with gov't ownership of airports. It means we don't have tolls to drop someone off.