This should start as a new thread, as I would like to hear more debate on the pros and cons of a private entity.

I'd take the counter-point on this idea.

Are the business models of airlines really more efficient, streamlined, and cost-effective, than what we have today? I look at the airline industry over the last several decades, and see time after time, short term decisions made to pad the coiffers of the people running it, all the while, screwing the people that actually do the work. A group of companies that constantly under-cut each other (and their own workers) in order to put bodies in the seats. Why would being in charge of ATC be any different? Do you want these ideas made into safety-related jobs like air traffic controlling, navigation and communication upkeep, etc. What happens during a soft economy? Do you reduce your workforce? While a pilot can hopefully find employment flying (something!)for another company if laid-off, a controller only has one game and one employer. If he/she is laid-off, how are they expected to retain their job skills if they can't practice them? If they return to work, months or years later, how good would they be? Like flying, controlling is not learned overnight, and entails long and expensive training (3-5 years) to master.

I'd entertain going the other way, and re-regulating airlines. Aside from SWA, and maybe a few others, when's the last time airlines were financially healthy for more than a few quarters? Why is airline stock always so cheap?

I feel that the country has gone too business-oriented. The "free" market is letting China kick our financial butt, as well as letting them dump container ship after container ship of cheap, lead-laden crap on our shores. Been to Home Depot lately? Find any item there, save for wood, that isn't Chinese made. Good luck. This is good for the American way, how?

I'm also not saying that our Government can't be heavily improved. It can. There is WAY too much management in places like where I work, for example.

As an aside, as a citizen, I don't want the movements and operations of our military being completely controlled by a private company. I don't feel that's in the best interest of the country.

Okay, fire away.