An AP economic writer recently wrote the U.S. economy is in an “awkward and confusing place”. It’s easy to see signs of trouble. Stores are still beset with empty shelves. Home sales are declining although many want to buy. Consumers have been forced to commit more income to day-to-day needs like food/fuel due to spiraling prices. All of this is reflected in the GDP numbers for the first half of the year. These growth numbers, based on the widely accepted rule of thumb, ar