slim,
In the US, GA is considered an asset and to have equal rights to use the National Airspace. Resources are therefore allocated and available to allow small transponder equipped planes to be safely separated from jets in far busier airspace than you find in the UK. Maybe that is the best way? cheers
For a Brit I have a fair amount of experience of US ATC courtesy of friends that work in ATC over there and there is much in the system I admire, but also some parts and procedures I do not.
In passing might I suggest then that you join in the fight with NATCA to stop your truly national ATC system going down the path that we've taken ours here. If the privatisers get their way you may find your "best way" very quickly becomes a distant memory.
WF.