By Cliff Maloney, CEO of Citizens Alliance

America is facing a crisis today. Not just of governance, but also of accountability. 

For years, conservatives have fought to expose the corruption, waste, and inefficiency that run rampant through our bloated federal bureaucracy. Initiatives like DOGE—the Department of Government Efficiency—have pulled back the curtain on a system designed more for self-preservation than service. But as the entrenched establishment digs in its heels and reform stalls in Washington, it's clear that change must come from another direction. 

That direction is local. If we want to restore traditional conservative values and reclaim a government that truly serves the people, we must shift our focus from Capitol Hill to city hall. The revolution starts at home.

Let’s be honest—Washington is broken beyond repair

Anyone who has interacted with a federal agency knows the frustration—layers of bureaucracy, unresponsive departments, and painfully slow processes. DOGE has done the invaluable work of uncovering waste and fraud, but translating those discoveries into reform is a slow, often fruitless process. We’re seeing this right now with Congress’s refusal to codify the proposed budget cuts into law. The federal government can delay consequences through monetary tricks—printing money, adjusting interest rates, but that only worsens the eventual fallout.

And that fallout is already here. Inflation, staggering debt, and economic instability are just the beginning. Washington isn’t just broken—it’s become a liability.

State governments aren’t much better

It would be comforting to think our state leaders might offer a better alternative. Sadly, many have simply adopted Washington’s worst habits. Bureaucracy, bloat, and a shocking lack of accountability are just as common in state capitals as they are in D.C.

The key difference? States don’t control the currency. They can’t disguise mismanagement by printing more money. So when they overspend or mismanage, the pain is immediate. Collapsed pensions, rising taxes, and failing infrastructure. States like Illinois, California, and New York are prime examples of what happens when our government grows unchecked.

But that immediate pain also forces faster voter response. That creates a rare opportunity for reform—but if only we’re willing to seize it.

Local government is where we make our stand

While federal and state governments are bloated and sluggish, local government is where accountability still has a fighting chance. That’s where Citizens Alliance has directed its energy—toward empowering everyday Americans to engage with their city councils, school boards, and county commissions.

Local politicians can’t hide behind layers of power. They live in our neighborhoods. They see us at church, at the grocery store, and at school drop-off. That closeness makes them more responsive and more vulnerable to pressure from informed, organized voters.

Real change happens when local citizens speak up, organize, and demand better. We’ve seen it happen across the country.

Change doesn’t flow from the top down

The belief that national reform must come from Washington is a myth. Many of the most significant policy movements of the last few decades, including school choice, tax reform, balanced budgets, began at the local or state level. Local victories create templates for national change.

When a small town proves that transparency, balanced budgets, or conservative values work, it creates momentum. That momentum can spread across counties, into state legislatures, and eventually into Congress. That’s why we must build from the ground up.

Grassroots action is how we win

Political consultants love slick ads, social media campaigns, and empty slogans. But those tools don’t drive real engagement or results. What does? Direct, personal contact.

That’s why Citizens Alliance focuses on the fundamentals: knocking doors, talking with neighbors, and building voter coalitions block by block. When we deployed this approach in Pennsylvania, experts said it wouldn’t work. They were wrong.

We knocked on more than eight million doors last year, helped register voters, and played a role in 418 victories. This wasn’t done with gimmicks. It was done with grit.

RELATED: Alaska Charter Schools Perform - Despite the State's Efforts

America's 'Worst Mayor' Reminds Us Why Local Politics Is So Important

Accountability starts with you

The most rewarding part of our work is seeing people realize their own power. When someone connects their rising taxes to a bloated city budget or sees how local mismanagement affects their child’s school, that’s a lightbulb moment.

We’re not just asking people to vote. We’re helping them understand, engage, and lead. We urge citizens to challenge city budgets, run for school board, and attend town meetings. This is what grassroots accountability looks like. And it works.

Let’s rebuild America from the ground up

Traditional conservative values of limited government, fiscal discipline, and personal responsibility are under siege. But the solution won’t come from another empty promise in a televised debate. It will come from citizens reclaiming control of their local institutions.

It happens when we say no to wasteful spending in our own communities. When we demand school boards teach fundamentals instead of ideology. When we ensure our town governments reflect our values—not political agendas.

This isn’t a movement funded by billionaires or driven by party machines. It’s a movement of neighbors, parents, veterans, and small business owners—people who love their country and want to fix it the right way.

Here’s how to start

If you’re wondering how to get involved, here’s where to begin:

• Get informed: Read your city’s budget. Understand local ordinances. Know what your leaders are doing.

• Get organized: Join with others who care. Host a local town hall. Start a community watchdog group.

• Take action: Knock on doors. Register voters. Help someone run for office—or run yourself.

• Demand accountability: Ask tough questions. Attend public meetings. Make your voice heard.

We don’t lack resources. We lack resolve. But that’s changing, one citizen at a time.

The next revolution begins at your door

I didn’t get involved in this fight for attention or power. I did it because I believe in this country. I believe in the strength of its people. And I believe that if we want to fix our broken system, we must start where our impact is greatest—right in our own communities.

The next great American revival won’t come from elites. It will come from you knocking on doors, raising your voice, and demanding better.

So let’s get to work. The future of our country starts at your doorstep.

Cliff Maloney is the CEO of Citizens Alliance and the founder of the PA Chase. He can be found @Maloney on X. 

Editor’s Note: Every single day, here at RedState, we will stand up and FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT against the radical left and deliver the conservative reporting our readers deserve.

Help us continue to tell the truth about the Trump administration and its major wins. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.