Articles such as "Departing lawmakers criticize Legislature," published in the Feb. 24 Butler Eagle, project a message that should be heeded by leaders in the Pennsylvania House and Senate.

Unfortunately, it probably won't be. There is no evidence that current leaders in the two houses ever would relinquish the dictatorial control they wield over rank-and-file lawmakers — a move that undoubtedly would ease the partisanship now stifling accomplishment in the legislative chambers.

Good people who have gone to Harrisburg with the right intention of working with their colleagues across the legislative aisle to get things done — including some from Butler County — have had those intentions stymied by an unbending leadership hellbent on Republican versus Democrat, no matter what gridlock results or the cost to the state.

And that leadership is responsible for the Legislature's inability to accomplish even some of its most basic functions, like passing a budget by the constitutionally mandated deadline of June 30, or voting expeditiously on a noncontroversial measure.

In the minds of those leaders, "compromise" is a bad word in the Legislature's operation. Only in a time of crisis, or when voters' anger cannot be ignored, do legislative leaders of both parties seem to work together to achieve something.

Trouble is, there isn't enough ongoing pressure and anger to effect change. The voter outrage of 2006, which did in fact send a message and ended the careers of some powerful lawmakers, has faded, along with memories of the middle-of-the-night pay-raise vote in July 2005.

Thus, amid the leadership-directed partisanship that's stifling legislative progress, rank-and-file lawmakers find themselves in the unfortunate position of having to answer for situations and problems beyond their control. They are embarrassed to admit that, when in the legislative chambers, they are ineffective and apparently powerless. Their leaders are the ones who determine the direction business will take — and the outcomes.

Now, with some lawmakers who, because of their frustration with the workings in Harrisburg having decided not to seek re-election, but instead speak out about their frustration, it's imperative for state voters to digest what is being said — and prepare to bring about change in this year's elections.

"There has to be more bipartisanship as we try to solve all the problems, and we're not having that right now," said Rep. Merle Phillips, a Northumberland County Republican who is retiring after 30 years.

Phillips' description of the General Assembly as "not a smooth operation" is quite an understatement.

Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith, D-Chester, who was elected in the pay raise outrage of 2006, but is quitting in frustration over what she describes as a collective lack of the courage to do what is best for the people of the commonwealth, said, "I'm frustrated by the egos and the power struggles that continually put politics over policy."

Good leadership, which the General Assembly so desperately needs, could change that.

Therefore, the goal for this year's elections should be to defeat current legislative leaders, paving the way for new individuals who hopefully would have a better attitude about representative government, thus about giving each rank-and-file lawmaker the meaningful voice he or she is entitled.

Such an outcome — from both the Republican and Democratic side of the aisle — would be refreshing.