I think the major problem inside the beltway are members of Congress not fully understanding what they are voting for.  Look no further than the oft complained about Patriot Act that was passed without being actually read by many our representatives.  Playing "follow the leader" when you are a member of the U.S. House of Representatives or Senate is something you can let slide much of the time but certainly not ALL of the time.

This reminds me of a tidbit that appeared in Ripley's Believe it or Not.  Seems there was an actual king who had the bad habit of signing edicts without actually reading them.  One day his queen, to make a point, included the king's own death warrant among the stack of documents awaiting his signature.  Yes, the king did sign it.  And no, as far as I recall, the queen did not have him put to death.