The U.S. economy is sending complicated and sometimes conflicting signals right now. But in some ways, the situation is simple: Americans are earning and spending more money than ever, but prices are rising even faster.U.S. households took in $4.6 trillion in after-tax income in the second quarter, 1.6 percent more than in the first three months of the year. But consumer prices rose 1.7 percent, meaning that incomes, adjusted for inflation, actually fell.It was a similar story across the economy. Businesses invested more in absolute dollars, but cut back once inflation is taken into account. Consumer spending did rise faster than prices, but barely. And total economic output, adjusted for inflation, fell for the second straight quarter, de …
