*The comments and thoughts in this article do not reflect that of the GC Summit or that of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. They are solely the opinions of the Author.

President Barak Obama was re-elected for a second term, scoring a major victory for progressives across the nation.

Winning over 300 Electoral College votes and the majority of the popular vote, Obama has once again proven that the American people still believe in his message of hope. Through a hard fought campaign, the President defeated rival Mitt Romney.

In his acceptance speech, President Obama acknowledged the rough four years America has faced after the 2008 economic recession, and also sparked hope for his next four years in office.

“Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long,” stated Obama, “we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America the best is yet to come.”

And although the best is yet to come for America, the Obama Administration still has many challenges that they will face. Obama will start his second term with a split Congress, making almost any important piece of legislation almost impossible to pass.

Though the Congress is split and both the left and the right seem to be unwilling to compromise, both candidates made an attempt to “reach across the aisle.”

“In the weeks ahead,” stated Obama “I also look forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward.” Romney stated “The nation, as you know, is at a critical point. At a time like this, we can’t risk partisan bickering and political posturing. Our leaders have to reach across the aisle to do the people’s work.”

We as a nation can only hope for the cooperation and the willingness to compromise on both sides of the aisle for the state of our country to improve. In California alone, many issues need to be solved and politicians must put aside their differences in order to solve these problems.

The education crisis in California not only affects students and teachers, but the entire community. With the passing of Prop 30, Californian voters have established that education is of the utmost priority.

But Prop 30 is only the beginning. 30 isn’t a cure to the education system, but rather a bandage to the gaping wound that is the educational financial crisis.

Even Romney agrees that education is of vital importance to this country. “We citizens also have to rise to the occasion.” stated Romney “We look to our teachers and professors, we count on you not just to teach, but to inspire our children with a passion for learning and discovery.”

The next four years holds the promise that America will once again rise from the ashes of crisis and become the great nation that it used to be.