"Although Administrator Blakey stated, 'The FAA doesn't
support a fee-based system.' The FAA can not rule out the
possibility that a private company can and will eventually evolve
into just that, a fee based service. This system has had a
devastating affect on general aviation pilots in Canada and
Australia. Privatization of any air traffic services in the United
States would mean a slow painful elimination of general
aviation."
Source: Press release from the National
Association of Air Traffic Specialists, responding to comments made
by FAA Admnistrator Marion Blakey during her speech at this year's
AOPA Expo.