Spontaneous patriotism broke out across America on May 1. The news: “a team of CIA officers and Navy SEALs kill bin Laden” spread like wildfire. Chants of “USA, USA, USA,” erupted in celebration of the decade-in-the-making victory. People gathered in front of the White House, filled Ground Zero, and flooded Times Square.

The headline is worth noting, but the outbreak of American enthusiasm has broader implications.

After a leadership that meets with our enemies, bows, apologizes, and leads from behind, Americans have literally jumped at the opportunity to have something about which they can feel proud. This hunger is the appeal of a not so serious candidate, Donald Trump, as evidenced by his surprisingly high poll numbers—though he has not even announced whether or not he is running for president. Americans want a strong America.

Whoever hopes to win the next presidential election will need to project a positive strength, a greatness, exemplified by the CIA agents and Navy SEALs—and expressed in Donald Trump’s arrogant rants.

While we are on a high now, the reality of a weak economy and rising gas prices will retake the headlines before too long. Osama bin Laden’s death shakes up the mid-east status quo and adds to the regional unrest that has helped push up the price at the pump.

A current television commercial offers this solution: “People have been using windpower for sailboats since the beginning of time.” Showing an adorable girl with a little boat made from twigs being carried along with the current, the ad tells us that sailboats have been using windpower and electricity can be made from it—“There are people and companies working to make windpower available to everyone.” The message is, “all we have to do is get behind it.”

We’ve been attempting to fuel America with “feel good” that doesn’t provide the energy we need for job growth and a strong economy.

Windpower, while available, will not make America strong. Windpower has been used, as referenced, “since the beginning of time.” Powered by wind, the Nina took more than two months, at a speed of about 4 knots, to ultimately bring Christopher Columbus across the Atlantic in 1492. Modern ocean liners can make the same trip in days—with the record held by the SS United States with an average of 29.39 steam-turbine-powered knots.

As recent world events have demonstrated, we cannot count on Middle East oil. Is windpower the solution to a limited Middle-Eastern-oil future? Will it give us the energy independence we need?

While windpower does play a role in domestic energy supplies, it moves us forward at a much slower pace than energy generated by today’s “steam turbines” fueled by coal, natural gas, and nuclear power. Plus, as the since-the-beginning-of-time sailboats found, there can be days where they make “practically no headway.” Intermittent windpower is domestic, but it does nothing to address the oil needed for American might—such as the helicopters that swooped into bin Laden’s compound. Wind turbines generate electricity.

So what is the solution? Where do we go from here? Do we move forward at 4 knots or 29?

As we face increased Middle East unrest and higher gas prices, the answer is abundant, available, and affordable American energy: oil, gas, coal and uranium/nuclear —all found within our borders. New technology, funded by industry, allows us to keep finding more, extract it more responsibly, and use it more efficiently. With all the natural resources we have, the question has got to be, “Why do we depend on others?”

The bin Linden operation was not conducted by some multi-national force, it was purely American. “USA, USA, USA.” American strength.

Instead of encouraging the strong and getting us back to production, government has chosen to support the weaker energy options—throwing tax dollars and borrowed money at feel-good fuels when what really makes us feel good is American jobs on US soil. No wonder we are slipping.

President Obama has increased subsidies for wind and solar power, and other renewables including biofuels like ethanol, in his 2012 budget. These alternatives cost more and do not work as well. They are not a better mouse trap. Someday advances may allow them to handle the load. It is possible for a modern sailboat to top 50 knots, but powerboats now hit 250. America needs energy today.

The cheering crowds on May 1 were not the product of an organized Tea Party rally. They were not “left” or “right.” There were Americans feeling good about a strong America.