Thread: Powell: Illegals do Vital Work in US, even at his house

Powell says illegal immigrants do vital work in US -- and at his house when it needs repair

WASHINGTON — Former Secretary of State Colin Powell says illegal immigrants do essential work in the U.S. and that he has firsthand knowledge of that — because they fix his house.

A moderate Republican, Powell urged his party on Sunday to support immigration generally because those who come from abroad are, in his words, "what's keeping this country's lifeblood moving forward."

Powell said a path to legal status should be offered to illegal immigrants because they do work that needs to get done.

At his own house, he said on NBC's "Meet the Press," illegal immigrants are always around when he needs work done.

He did not specify whether he hired them directly or they showed up with contractors.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/powe ... 25106.html

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This is an updated and longer version of the story

WASHINGTON — Former Secretary of State Colin Powell says illegal immigrants do essential work in the U.S. and he has firsthand knowledge of that — because they fix his house.

Powell, a moderate Republican, urged his party Sunday to support immigration generally because it is "what's keeping this country's lifeblood moving forward."

In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press," he said a path to legal status should be offered to illegal immigrants because they "are doing things we need done in this country."

He added: "They're all over my house, doing things whenever I call for repairs, and I'm sure you've seen them at your house. We've got to find a way to bring these people out of the darkness and give them some kind of status."

Powell did not say whether he's hired illegal immigrants directly or they showed up with contractors.

Powell was President George W. Bush's first-term secretary of state and the nation's top military officer in the presidency of Bush's father and in the early months of the Clinton administration. Despite his Republican standing — he was once considered a formidable prospect for the GOP presidential or vice presidential nominations but stayed out of contention — he endorsed Democrat Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election.

In lamenting the party's rightward drift Sunday, he said Republicans must not become anti-immigration and spoke in support of legislation that would give certain children of illegal immigrants a way to become citizens if they pursue a college education or military service.

Immigration, he said, offers the U.S. a chance to maintain a youthful population in contrast with the aging of Europe and Japan.

Powell also said "fringe" elements on the right are taking a low road when they label Obama a foreign-born Muslim and peddle other false theories about non-American influences on the president's character. Obama was born in the U.S. and is Christian.

"Let's attack him on policy, not nonsense," he said.

And he said the tea party may not become an enduring force unless it moves beyond slogans and promotes an agenda that people "can see, touch and actually believe in." It's not enough, he said, to call for goals that most Americans support, such as controlled federal spending and adherence to the Constitution.

The former secretary of state said he still sees Obama as a transformational figure, if one who has lost some of his ability to connect with people.

Powell said he's not giving up on the GOP, even in the face of a rightward drift, and says it might actually help Obama if Republicans win the House in November and gain responsibility for driving policy, not just opposing Democrats.

Meanwhile American unemployment hovers around 10%....way to support your country Gen Powell...

He needs to be charged and penalized for knowingly hiring illegals. Does he even realize that he just admitted to breaking the law?

I have now lost ALL respect for this man.... ARREST and Charge this broke down man

Matter of fact: I want you arrested before the Illegals that are working at your house

Colin Powell,you're a dirtbag and a sellout.So,i guess if you ever build a house for you and the misses,you will just moisy down to the corner and get an Architect,Engineer,Concrete Contractor,Electrican,Plumber,Framing Contractor,Interior Designer,Painting Contractor etc to handle everything.
No fuss,no mus.Because.............,they(illegals) do the work that needs to be done.Hey General,how would you feel if American Airlines fired all their mechanics and just went on down to the corner and hired some mechanics!

Apparently Powell enjoys being lazy enough not hire to U.S. citizens to work at his house and is proudly breaking the law. What an elitist! You would think this man, above most others, would follow the laws of the United States!

I, too, have lost my respect for this man who led my citizen son during his years in the Army as well as all the other soldiers serving in the U.S. military. A shocking example of a traitorous act.

par for the course. he wont be holding any political office, his window of op has years passed. sounds like he enjoys his "slaves".

Powell
I lost all respect for you you know that the Illigal immigrant Have our job . you have them because they are Cheap you are from the South Bx you know what it like I hope your House fall apart
How come ICE is not at home How many more are like you In the WH that Have Illigal Immigrant doing jobs that the Amercian can have
I lost all respect for all that in the wh

Wow

Stunning how a man could go from having so much respect to a traitor in one sentence.

Right here at the source article is a link describing how because of budget cuts citizens are needing to go to pawn shops and payday loans more often.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/sque ... 24995.html

Isn't Jackson health the hospital that was forced to their knees by having to provide millions of $ a month in kidney Dialysis to illegal aliens?

quote("what's keeping this country's lifeblood moving forward." )quote


If that is true why are the countries they come from in such sad shape.

The lack of common sense with Powell's statement is frightening in some respects.