Lori Mercedes has survived a civil war and breast cancer and is now program director at the Hispanic American Council in Kalamazoo

After surviving a civil war in her homeland and a recent bout with breast cancer, Lori Mercedes’ philosophy is to “have a plan for tomorrow, but get it done today.”

She left her home in Nicaragua in 1987, while that nation was in an official state of emergency because of political power struggles, to move to the United States.

“When you talk about the land of the free, it means a totally different thing to me,” she said. “I am able to say what I want without fear of persecution or the repercussions it would have on my family.”

Mercedes, 40, settled in Kalamazoo 10 years ago when she said she “fell in love with the city” while visiting family. And what started as a volunteer job to fill empty days became a passionate career for Mercedes, who is program director at the Hispanic American Council, Kalamazoo’s largest Latino advocacy group.

www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/07/lori_mercedes_has_survived_a_c.html

All of Michigan's problems are now solved because fewer poor people will be on welfare

Commentary from MLive:

The Senate on Wednesday struck a blow for democracy and Michiganders everywhere when it
voted to cap welfare benefits at four years.

That move will save Michigan's General Fund $64 million and it will also kick 12,600 people off welfare rolls starting in October. They were living large with an average check of $511 per month. That's equivalent to a nice car payment for many middle class folk (read: people who work in Lansing), unless you're spreading out payments over 80 years to drive a ride you can't really afford.

What will this mean for you? Not much, but judging from MLive comments, people seem to think it will be a big deal.

Does it mean you'll get better schools for your kids and better customer service from the Secretary of State? Umm ... I wouldn't hold my breath...

www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/07/all_of_michigans_problems_are.html