The problem (from a victim/Dutch perspective) is that there is complete denial from the Russian side (despite heaps of evidence around the people involved, origin and transport of the launcher from Russian territory).
Even if Russian judges and prosecutors are completely corrupt and biased, an actual investigation/trial is the least that would be expected here, but all we got are the bald faced lies that Russia is particularly fond of.
Which isn't relevant if the people who shot it down had no idea if it was / wasn't Malaysian.
Similar to how cartels likely wouldn't have the sophistication to nationally ID any aerial targets they choose to shoot.
The last time there was an attack within the United States’ borders it notably ended with a self-owning combination of perhaps the largest bureaucratic waste of time and money in human history (DHS/TSA) and the systematic erosion of enumerated rights.
You're forgetting all the times the US failed too, and those cases weren't even on its own border. Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam... the list is very long. Creating an existential threat on your own border is a bad move for anyone. Remember how bad Columbia got? I guess not. The current situation has the potential to be much more dangerous.
Doesn't the US have more resources at home, not less?
Wouldn't a strike on US soil be a larger escalation and dictate a swift and larger response?
I believe it's unrealistic that "the cartel" would strike back against the USG, particularly on US soil.