Smith: Obama wants to control right to vote

Rep. Bob Smith has routinely been a thorn in the side of local officials - ranging from his ideology blocking local legislative requests from progressive Athens-Clarke County to his support-then-opposition to a future pay increase for members of the Oconee County Board of Education - so there's not much love lost between him and local leaders from all sorts of political stripes.

In an email obtained by Beyond The Trestle sent from Smith to various supporters and constituents, the Watkinsville representative lambasts the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, along with school superintendents, state educators and the Georgia Municipal Association for blocking controversial tax cuts or cost shifts at the state level.

It's a lengthy document, so we're going to sift through it somewhat, but here's a quick preview. In this portion of the 11-paragraph email, Smith attacks criticism of unfunded mandates from the state level by accusing the Obama Administration of plotting to control the right of citizens to vote ...

The runaway, changing hourly, requirements from Washington, D.C. are mind boggling and makes for extremely difficult budget decisions with our state appropriations. Washington D.C. and the U.S. Congress ... and to (Jerry) Griffin, let’s give them credit where credit is due ... you want to see more out of control spending, waste, fraud and abuse ... and unfunded mandates??? I will guarantee it is coming to you and the taxpayers by first class delivery from Washington, D.C.!! Think government controlled healthcare, banking system, automobile industry/business, etc., etc., and etc. Just wait until you see the mandates coming down from the West Wing of the White House to control our precious right ... the right to vote!! They did not take control of voter redistricting from the Commerce Department and move this operation to the West Wing of the White House just to play solitaire. Think mandates ... it is coming to a voting booth near you.