Amid reports that the government's plan to remove toxic assets from U.S. banks is floundering, the world's largest accounting firm came out with a report this week saying that a "bad bank" solution is probably inevitable. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has sought to avoid a bad bank solution with his proposal for a Public-Private Investment Program that enlists private sector fund managers and private equity along with generous government credit guarantees to purchase the assets, effectively providing a government subsidy.

Earning a degree has long been a dream of many working mothers. While it might seem the recession would put that dream even further out of reach for most, many working and single mothers are actually drawing inspiration from the economy to pursue their dream of getting a higher education.

Pessimism about the U.S. economy among chief financial officers and senior-level executive Certified Public Accountants eased in the second quarter, according to a new survey conducted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School. Arleen Thomas, AICPA's senior vice president for member competency and development, said the shift in sentiment indicates financial executives and CPAs see the economy contracting at a slower pace and suggests the U.S. recession may be reaching a bottom.

In the days following the U.S. Department of Labor's announcement that the unemployment rate had hit its highest point since September 1983, parents of graduating college students are probably wishing they could give their children the gift of a job.But since that's not possible most of the time, family and friends are left with a common dilemma as commencement day approaches: What to give in times of recession and slim job prospects?The picture isn't pretty. Graduates are entering a job market where 539,0000 jobs were cut in April alone, and the jobless rate is at 8.9 percent.

By Marci GrossmanEverywhere you look there are visible signs of the current poor economy. It might be a lack of "help wanted" signs, or coupons from stores and restaurants that never issued them before, or just hearing friends mention their belt tightening.

If it's all over but the crying, may as well have a party, right? Especially if the party might lead to a job. A pink slip party is what they're calling it... and no, it has nothing to do with Victoria's Secret. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and no curfew for these party goers, because none of them have jobs to go to tomorrow. Droves of them have lost their jobs in the financial sector, and rather than cry alone, they are getting together for pink slip parties. These get-togethers are not limited to Wall Street refugees. They're happening also in Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago...

If the AIG debacle seems to have calmed down while Congress is in a long spring recess, think again. The ripples are being felt everywhere. The Los Angeles Times reported this week that U.S. companies have canceled about $1 billion worth of conferences already this year, further battering the hospitality industry which was already suffering the effects of the weakened economy. Are CEOs trying to avoid the images of corporate pirates frolicking in bathtubs full of champagne and caviar while the "little people" are forced out of their homes?

While confidence in the U.S. economy and leadership remain low among CFOs of American companies, many are speaking out and taking action to protect their own businesses and workforce, according to the most recent quarterly survey conducted by Financial Executives International (FEI) and Baruch College's Zicklin School of Business. CFOs responding to the 2009 first quarter "CFO Outlook Survey” overwhelmingly declared that they need more from their boards of directors, with four out of five expressing discontent with the current relationship.

Job-discrimination complaints across the United States hit record levels in fiscal 2008, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reports.About 95,400 workplace-discrimination claims were filed for the year ended September 30, the most recent data available. That's up from 82,800 the previous year.Complaints based on race, gender, age, and religion all saw year-over-year gains.Workers can file discrimination complaints with the commission, which can seek to remedy the situation.