Practically speaking, what's the difference between tabling the house bill and writing one of their own (and then sending it to the house) vs. amending the House bill completely?
Essentially, there's no difference. You're complaining about some technical procedure that, in the end doesn't amount to a hill of beans. Even worse, the american people do not support a bill that's anything like the House bill. I remember that one of your complaints about the ACA was that it wasn't supported by a majority of americans. Neither is this House bill.
Since I know you like polls, here's some about immigration.
Immigration
Note how a large % of americans do not support simply deporting these children, which is what the House bill does (and not much more, if anything)
So why should the Senate entertain a bill that the American people have rejected?
Reid is using the power he has. There is nothing wrong with tabling legislation, particularly when it's legislation that is partisan and has been rejected by the American people.
Then why do you complain when Reid does exactly what you just said? By tabling this bill, in essence killing it, he is representing the people of the US and not the House Republicans who, with this bill, have told the American people to take their opinions and shove it where the sun doesn't shine.