About BetterDonkey

BetterDonkey.org envisions a country where the political process belongs to everyone and where the structure, action, and policies of government reflect the liberal values of its people.

The mission of BetterDonkey.org is to focus on local issues in Seattle and the greater Northwest, to help build a progressive community, to foster immediate action, and to create a permanent progressive base to positively change the politics of our neighborhoods, our cities and our states.

Our strategic goals

• To bring Progressive Politics into the mainstream
• To effect real change in the politics which matters most- local!
• To be a force to be reckoned with in Seattle and Northwest politics
• Tocreate an active, inclusive, and engaging online community where people engage in conversation and learn about what’s going on in their neighborhood and their country
• To host activities that are fun, relevant, and have a measurable impact on our local community
• To bring politics back into the lives of people like us- young, progressive, intelligent and hungry for change.
• To inspire other people around the country to take action in their cities and states and help build the grassroot progressive network from the ground up.

Better Donkey values...

• AUTHENTICITY: We say what we believe and encourage our members to do the same. No talking head, politician, or party is going to tell us what to think.
• POSITIVE ACTION: We encourage creative, optimistic approaches to solving political problems.
• COMMUNITY: We believe in the potential of a strong, informed, and united community. We believe the path to a better future is through building local communities that are engaged in changing the broken politics of today into the progressive answers of tomorrow.
• INCLUSION: We strive to find common ground across the entire progressive spectrum.
• CONSENSUS: We strive for a consensus-based leadership model.
• COMMUNICATION: We believe that a vibrant community is based on input from everyone.
• FUN: We strive to prove that getting serious about the issues doesn't have to be seriously boring.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What's a ‘better’ donkey?
• Isn't Better Donkey just preaching to the choir?
• Why is Better Donkey trying to push the Democratic Party to the left?
• But you're all still a bunch of Democrats, right?
• How is Better Donkey unique?
• I'm in! When's your next event?

Q: What’s a ’better’ donkey?

BetterDonkey.org started during the 2004 presidential campaign, when a group of friends decided they couldn't just sit around and bitch about politics anymore. We realized that people like us have tons to contribute to progressive politics… just not what the Democratic Party was asking us for. So we decided to shake up the political scene our own way!

Q: Isn't Better Donkey just preaching to the choir?

A: First of all, we may be, but it was "preaching to the choir" and "rallying the converted" that elected the Republicans across the nation in 2004. If we are going to put the Republicans back on the defensive, we need to start doing some rallying of our own.

Secondly, in a city like Seattle, "Democrat" can mean a lot of things. If we don't challenge the status quo, then there's no real accountability and no real democracy.

Q: Why is Better Donkey trying to push the Democratic Party to the left?

A: Better Donkey is not about moving the Democratic Party to the left, the right, or the center. Better Donkey is about pushing politics FORWARD. Government has a huge impact on peoples' lives and yet most of us remain disengaged and apathetic, leaving the government free to work for other interests. Better Donkey seeks to increase political participation and make the government work for all of us.

Q: But you're all still a bunch of Democrats, right?

A: Some of us identify as Democrats, some of us identify as something else, and others of us wish to remain anonymous... but what's important is that we're united by our progressive values, our belief in democracy, and our understanding that our so-called liberal politicians need a swift kick in a more progressive direction.

Q: How is Better Donkey unique?

A: Better Donkey is about building awareness, building a grassroots base, and BUILDING COMMUNITY. To achieve these goals, we provide a web site to organize our membership and keep people informed, AND we offer real-world opportunities to hang out with your neighbors and shake things up. Our activities include:

• Politics You Can Drink To: Attend a public meeting, speak our minds, and celebrate afterwards at a bar!
• Doin' It In The Road: Action-oriented events like guerilla postering, voter registration, and community-building rallies.
• Donkey Forum: All donkeys get together for issue-based discussions like "The Progressive Constitution - What is it?" and drunken letter writing campaigns: "I gots somethin to say..."
• Speaker Nights: Better Donkey uses our savvy connections to provide a series of interesting speakers and discussion forums.
• Movie/Broadcast Nights: Get together for important broadcasts and relevant films. Popcorn and beer included.   
• Keggers for Democracy: Need we say more?

Q: I'm in! When's your next event?

A: If you want the scoop, check the events calender, or (better yet) sign up to be a member! We'll deliver all the juicy details straight to your inbox.