The elderly in Romania have been the most disadvantaged group since the fall of communism. The annual rate of inflation in Romania is 40%-50% while the pensions increase at an annual rate of 0.5%-1%. Between 1990 and 2000, prices rose 850 times. The average pension is $50 but the prices are about 1/2 as in US. The streets in Bucharest are full of old men and women waiting for public charity. Some are retired teachers, nurses, engineers who are forced to ask for help. Their humiliation is heartbreaking as they dig into trash cans in competition with stray dogs. They are the forgotten ones, true "victims of history". Someone has to remember them...They could be our parents...