…that sums it up better than many other, more lengthy descriptions I’ve read:

Lareon, over at RPG.NET said:

It seems Fate wants proactive players and reactive GM. It’s… strange, until you enter in the right mindset.

This is the crux, and the main reason why FATE doesn’t run well in many groups. Other systems demand  REACTIVE players and PROACTIVE GMs to work well.

Problem solved. Now I have to think about it for a bit.