Dear Bernie Sanders,

(and while we’re at it, all the other US politicians who like to get votes by bashing Bermuda),

Thanks for mentioning Bermuda again in your debate last night, but ...

The world’s multinational corporations do not owe all their tax on profits to one nation.

There’s a whole global economy out there. And, no, countries are not corrupt just because they are not under your tax system.

Like most jurisdictions, we have our own people ... yes, real live humans, many of whom struggle to get by. We are doing our best as a tiny place — 19 square miles at high tide — with no natural resources.

We are extremely well regulated, with strong anti-corruption platforms in place.

We abide by all laws, both international and regional, and provide a well-educated populace as our local workforce. We are a centre for international business precisely because we are not corrupt.

International companies that are based here do not pay all their taxes to the United States, but they don’t pay them to Britain, Germany, Zimbabwe or China, either.

When was the last time a US-based company paid all their taxes to Bermuda?

Lastly, Bermuda is a friend to the US — big time. So please stop picking on us.

A BERMUDIAN