At town hall meetings on the health care issue, most Americans say it’s more important for those in Congress to listen rather than speak.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of voters nationwide say that it’s more important for Congressmen to hear the view of their constituents rather than explain the proposed health care legislation. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 37% hold the opposite view while 7% are not sure.

The desire for Congress to listen may stem from the fact that voters believe they understand the legislation better than Congress.

Forty-nine percent (49%) have a favorable opinion of those opposing the health care reforms at town hall meetings. That’s up eight points from 41% a month ago. Thirty-five percent (35%) have an unfavorable view of the town hall protesters, unchanged from last month.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) now say the town hall protesters are citizens reflecting the concerns of their neighbors. That’s up ten points over the past month.

Thirty percent (30%) believe the protests are phony efforts drummed up by special interest groups and lobbyists.

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Not surprisingly, there are huge partisan divides on these questions.

Most Democrats believe that it’s more important for members of Congress to explain the proposed legislation at town hall meetings. Those in President Barack Obama’s party also have an unfavorable view of the town hall protesters and believe the protests are phony efforts created by special interest groups.

Most Republicans and unaffiliated voters hold the opposite view on all three questions. They believe it’s more important for Congress to listen at town hall meetings, they have a favorable view of the protesters, and they believe those protesters are reflecting the concerns of their neighbors.

Most voters nationwide now oppose the health care legislation working its way through Congress. Sixty-eight percent (68%) believe that passage of the plan will lead to bigger federal deficits.

Congress overall continues to get negative reviews. Voters are evenly divided as to whether or not a group of people randomly selected from the phone book would be better than the current Congress. Given the chance, 57% would vote to replace the entire Congress and start over again. Republican voters overwhelmingly believe that that GOP representatives in Congress are out of touch with the party’s base.

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