May 28, 2011Dear Sir,Why doesn't the Bermuda Government and Paula Cox explain to the Bermuda population the problem that Bermuda is facing at this time.Bermuda needs foreign exchange to function and about 87 percent of the foreign exchange Bermuda brings in at the present time is brought in by the international companies. Without them and the foreign currency they provide, we would not be able to buy what we need to survive.The Bermuda dollar has no value outside of Bermuda. We need US dollars, pounds sterling and other currencies to enable us to buy all the goods we need and which are brought into Bermuda, whether food, liquor, electricity, cars, clothing, airline tickets. Without this foreign exchange earnings is virtually negligible.So many Bermudians do not seem to be aware of the fact that without the money these companies bring into Bermuda in the shape of corporate fees, salaries, payroll tax et cetera the Government would not be able to pay all its bills or the salaries of civil servants, teachers, policemen, health workers and others. And even if you are not employed by one of the international companies you are affected. Without them we wouldn't need so many people in the supermarkets, post office, retail stores, or plumbers or electricians. And last but not least, without their presence many landlords would be unable to rent their properties.The Government should be explaining the facts of life to every man, woman and child in Bermuda. From the talk shows it is obvious that many Bermudians just don't get it. We are competing in the global world and we need to understand and appreciate what that means. It means amongst other things appreciating the contribution the international companies make to Bermuda's economy and success. Without their presence even more of us would be without a job. We need them and we need to attract more of them if we are to dig ourselves out of the financial hole we are in.ANNE PEARMANHamilton Parish