After yesterday's events (forcing a vote on keeping the tax rate the same for those under $250K) I have to say that the democrats look as unreasonable as the republicans. The only reason that vote was taken was to try to gain political leverage for future elections.
I am not saying that the republicans wouldn't do/haven't done the same sort of thing but you know, I have to call a spade a spade and both sides seem very unreasonable. The democrats could have offered something like chap suggested and the republicans could have counter-offered such a deal. Neither did and we all lose.
I don't see the harm is holding a symbolic vote that clearly delineates where the parties stand on the issue. What's the problem? The Republicans don't want to be on record for having voted for their actual policy position? Tough shit.