"Please Tom, cut the crap. The Bush family's big oil ties run deep and is well documented."

But most rational people don't live in a fantasy world where "big oil" is the same thing as evil. Some people might for example thing big ties with organized crime is more problematic

"Further, this nation has made zero progress since 2000 in moving toward energy self sufficiency.It's not just an environmental issue, it's a national security issue. Bush has either failed miserably on this front, or never intended to try (which is even worse). I believe the latter to be the case."

Why begin at 2000? The same could said since 1970. Meanwhile through the decades we had the "elites" and general "opinion makers" [or basically those people who are controlling the American media] opposition to nuclear energy for some 40 years. In addition there are known oil reserves that has been legally blocked from being used. Not to mention largest oil reserve in the world in the form of shale oil is on Federal land and has been blocked from use.
Now, perhaps Bush hasn't done as much as he could have in this area [debatable point]- but utterly it's foolish to assume the Dems are working towards this. The Dems have been the main obstacle.
And what did Dems spent most of the effort this last year- working to increase America energy independance? No, they have endlessly trying to stop funding for war effort. That Bush has a priority on the real and immediate national security while the Dems leadership devotes 99% of their time in effort to undermine this to the exclusion of any other interests, should something you take into account.