At some time I flatly demanded railroading from the DM. Everyone was playing a PC without "leadership qualities" or "planning ability", and in order to complete an adventure we would have to either switch PCs, or act out of character. At that point I asked the DM (aside from the game) to get a NPC going to lead our characters, and to do our planning for us, since no one took pleasure in cong up with plans. I also hate it if a DM thinks it is fun to present us with a puzzle or something, or to expect my dumb as a brick rogue to come up with a master strategy. I don't want to solve puzzles, or act out of character, so pretty please railroad me - show me the clue, give me a hint, present the general's plan so that I can disarm the trap, sneak into the enemy's camp or go off solve my personal problems.
In my Shadowrun campaign, I use an NPC as the "party leader", since all players are playing "followers", and letting them plan was not very fun. I sometimes offer alternatives, or ask the players what course of actions they'd prefer, but generally it is "We do what we are told. So, what are we told?" during the planning stage of the run. The PCs act out before, during and after the runs, go on sidetrips and mind their personal business and the players have much fun doing it, so I don't really see anything wrong in "railroading".
I see it as my job as the DM to present the players with options, to regularly ask them what they want in the game, what goals and ambitions theri PCs have, and act on that, not to let them wander aimlessly through the world when it is clear they would prefer an adventure. If no one wants to be a leader, then I'll get a leader for them, if needed.
My biggest failing as a DM is that I get too easily into discussion mode during a game instead of cutting a ranting or arguing player off and discuss it after the game.
Edit: Going too easy is also not a failing of me. I expect a fleshed out PC from my players and good roleplaying, and in exchange I will not kill a PC, especially not for staying in Character and walking in a trap. If you want to experience the thrill of danger and cannot roleplay it, better play with another DM.