At the risk of being flagged as anti-American, I'd like to say America, you suck. It pains me to say that to you, my fellow Americans, but we have become lazy, conniving, mislead sheep. What's most disheartening is that most of you are happily ignorant of the fact that you've become assholes.

Now those of you who say I should move away, guess what? I've tried that multiple times and failed, mostly due to being shut out because I'm American. Therefore I'm here to stay, and I'll exercise my right to speak freely against my country, myself, and you, while I presumably still can.

If you haven't already dismissed me as anti-American, that's a good sign you're willing to examine us as a country. Bravo. After all, where would we be without self-examination?

The reason I'm calling you out is because I examined myself. Try this on for size: Many people know me as a hard, honest worker, and extremely passionate about living life to the fullest. I'm a relatively successful artist who has performed around the world and gained respect in many circles. Yet, I've been living in a van parked outside K-Mart for several months now. Why? Because I don't believe in living beyond honest means.

Probably most of you believe you work honestly. Your paycheck undoubtedly came from somewhere, and with it you put a roof over your head and food in your belly. Have you ever really traced the source of your sustenance? If you work for a big corporation or even the government, most likely your paycheck was paid by shady practices against humanity or the taxes paid thereafter. You yourself may even be a victim if your paycheck doesn't equate to the level of abuse you endure in order to keep your job.

If you don't stand up to these employers' crimes, you're mostly just being an asshole to yourself and yours. But what about those committing the crimes against you? Well, if you own stock, chances are you're the ones committing the most egregious offences. Most of you have no idea you're doing it, but anyone who holds stock in a company is responsible for knowing how their returns are made.

I've personally witnessed an insurance salesmen lament the poor's losses after a major disaster, while sipping a cocktail in his multi-million dollar home. I've also seen high ranking corporate officers blatantly tell his employees they wouldn't receive retirement benefits after a full career of loyalty, simply because the company didn't have to by law. Do you personally know that the companies in your investment portfolio hasn't treated people that way?

Many of you hate your job even if you love your work. How can that be? Probably it's because most of you know too little about what real, honest work actually is. If you did, you'd be overjoyed to be going to work and saddened to leave it. The reality is many of us spend our working time planning what we'll be doing AFTER work. Blame the asshole boss if you like, but if you're not happy doing the thing you supposedly love, the real asshole is you. If you believe you need a boss and he/she happens to be an asshole, guess what? The asshole is STILL YOU.

Many of you have a family to support, and that's great if you can afford to support one. If you can't do so without being an asshole, knowingly or unknowingly, maybe you should look into the myriad ways to delay such commitments. Everyone falls into a hole now and again of course, but even so, have you thought about who you're stepping on to get out of it?

I will not complain about having to write this from a van outside of K-Mart. The fact is, my conscience is as clean as I can manage. I don't expect you to change your reality either, because I imagine you're doing the best you can too. However, as Americans we have the responsibility to examine our methods of becoming the richest nation in the world. As an asshole myself, I implore you to join me in doing so, thoroughly and constantly.