As of the Mars’ Hill deadline, it was increasingly looking like Barack Obama would walk to power. By the time you read this, barring a repeat of 2000, the winner will have long been decided – and there is a good chance that the Democrats will have unprecedented power and a mandate to change the United States. Barring a last minute change of fate, Obama has become the first black president of the U.S., and has been placed at the head of a government that has more of a mandate than any government since that of George W. Bush on Sept. 12, 2001.

Whoever has won has much to learn in a short period of time. The financial collapse of fall 2008 has exposed a deep problem to which the U.S. government has only taken limited action to resolve – or even stated a clear position. There are looming problems of the withdrawal from Iraq and the massive federal debt – at last count almost $35,000 per American. If either of the candidates’ plans is implemented fully, there can be no doubt that America’s debt and economic fallout will continue.

Perhaps even more disturbing is the talk that Obama’s Democrats may win a supermajority in both the House and Senate, giving them absolute power to govern. While there are still some checks and balances built into the system, a Democrat supermajority would allow the governing party to pass legislation without any substantive opposition. Is this unchecked power really what we want to see in the U.S.? While the U.S. system of government is significantly different from Canada’s, in effect a two-thirds majority in all levels of government would be equivalent to a majority Canadian government – an elected dictatorship. Though party discipline in the U.S. is much weaker than that in Canada, one can be sure that Obama would act to take advantage of what power he is given.

All that said, a change of power within the U.S. is probably beneficial to all. Many in Washington need to be taught humility. It is clear that America’s public has very little confidence in their legislative systems, with both the House of Representatives and the Senate scoring lower in the polls than George W. Bush, a feat that seems to take some doing. Had John McCain won (assuming once again that he hasn’t) many of the people in positions of power over the last eight years would remain in office past Jan. 20. There can be no doubt that change in some form is good, and an Obama presidency will certainly bring some change. I’m still waiting to hear the substantive part of it, however, and it is likely that he will be somewhat limited in his plans given various circumstances that have risen over the last few months and years.

It is likely however, that the next four years will be very different from previous four. No matter which candidate has won, both have brought substantial ideas to the table that will have to be examined in detail and then committed to legislation. It is also likely that whoever has won will bring forward a much more friendly face to the U.S. Whether it is Obama, with his massive appeal around the world, or McCain, with his significant foreign-policy experience, it is clear that they will be capable of improving the U.S.’s image throughout the world.

Here’s hoping that whoever has won will govern effectively and capably. It is clear that both candidates are very capable men. We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.