Colin Powell: Illegal Immigrants Fix My House

Associated Press ^ | Sept. 19, 2010

[Justaham]

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.

[Political Junkie Too]

It used to be that hiring illegal nannies got you disqualified from high office. I guess not anymore.

-PJ

[ml/nj]

He MUST be profiling.

No, really. Every week a bunch of dark, poorly shaven guys show up and take care of my lawn. But I don't know anything about them. If I ever have a question there's always at least one one who speaks some English. I don't ask for a Green Card. I don't know that any of them are anything other than guys trying to make it here.

ML/NJ

[Political Junkie Too]

Somebody should tell Powell that hiring illegal workers to fix his house is the same thing as cheating Americans out of the income and payroll taxes those wages would have garnered, let alone the jobs themselves.

And, if Powell used illegal workers, did he bypass any permitting and inspection requirements, too?

-PJ

[Michael Barnes]

Oh, I get it..bunch of words to simply say “aiding and abetting”. Gotcha, (token) General.

[capydick]

We've got to find a way to bring these people out of the darkness and give them some kind of status."

They already have a status - it's called ILLEGAL ALIEN!

[magslinger]

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 for less than a contractor who hired legal Americans who have to charge.

Fixed that.

[tina07]

They ain’t all over my house and never will be.

[Lucky9teen]

Illegal Immigrants Fix My House

So did Powell have Obama over to fix his curtains?


OR maybe to paint?

[Spok]

“They’re all over my house, doing things whenever I call for repairs, and I’m sure you’ve seen them at your house.”

It’s hard to say, being as I have such a huge cadre of servants around. I mean, doesn’t everybody?? [Elitist sarcsam.]

[Jean S]

Thanks a bunch General. My husband is a carpentry contractor and he fixes houses too. He carries liability insurance, pays for a state license and pays worker’s comp insurance in addition to other benefits for his employees.

Guess what Colin, we still carry the liability insurance and the state license but there is almost no work for our very small business because we cannot compete with bids from employers who use illegals. We no longer have any employees.

[TexasCajun]

Anyone that votes for a Democrat President is a Democrat.

[shadowcat]

NO BOY POWELL!!!!

They are not at my house! I can put on a roof, cut my lawn, trim privet bushes, shovel snow, plant jap maples (Acer Acontifoleium) and I'm licensed to legally embalm human remains in the State of New York.

kiss my ass

[JRandomFreeper]

In my normal profession, none of my customers are expanding networks or installing new servers. They are getting by with old equipment until the economy improves. I spent today cutting down pecan trees to earn enough money to buy some groceries and keep the electric on.

I'd gladly do his house repairs, so I can make enough to meet my bills.

I speak standard american english, come with references, and have held a DOD security clearance. And I won't charge an arm and a leg. I'll work cheap.

/johnny

[HapaxLegamenon]

Sounds like he is racial profiling here.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

I suppose if they are subcontracted, Powell is a degree removed from any criminality? Hmmm?
What if his contractor bought a slave and came over to Powell’s house? And Powell knew.
Guilty knowledge.

[johnthebaptistmoore]

He and Mitt Romney can form the perfect, RINO Presidential ticket and, also, talk about illegal immigrants working for each of them.

[shadowcat]

Conspiracy to defraud?

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

I can put on a roof, cut my lawn, trim privet bushes, shovel snow, plant jap maples (Acer Acontifoleium) and I'm licensed to legally embalm human remains in the State of New York.

Are you available -- or married? ;)

[JayNorth]

Thanks a bunch General. My husband is a carpentry contractor and he fixes houses too. He carries liability insurance, pays for a state license and pays worker’s comp insurance in addition to other benefits for his employees. Guess what Colin, we still carry the liability insurance and the state license but there is almost no work for our very small business because we cannot compete with bids from employers who use illegals. We no longer have any employees.

This bears repeating. If you hire contractors that use illegals, you are usually getting half-a$$ed work done on your house and you are putting a professional craftsman out of business. Folks that try to rationalize it by saying "everyone does it" or "you can't find Americans willing to do it" are being intellectually dishonest or are kidding themselves.

[shadowcat]

Semi-Retired and still licensed with the embalming part..(family business, started when I was 9)
I knew the truth would draw attention. So much for truth from the beltway worthless.

not married