PITTSTON -- The 10th Congressional District candidates faced each other Thursday in a televised one-hour debate that focused on their opposing views on pork barrel spending, Social Security and even included challenger Chris Hackett calling incumbent U.S. Rep. Chris Carney a liar.

Hackett, a Republican and wealthy Shavertown businessman, has run his campaign largely on a plan to abolish earmarks, and he raised the issue several times during the debate, which aired on WVIA public television.

"It's one of the key reasons for what's wrong in Washington," he said, describing the earmark system as corrupt and a way liberal leaders control votes among junior members.

"There are other legitimate, transparent ways to get funding," said Hackett, who throughout the debate mentioned how Carney has received campaign contributions from companies he's helped with earmarks.

Carney, a Democrat from Dimock, views pork barrel spending as an effective way to bring federal dollars to northeast and central Pennsylvania. The system is not corrupt, he said, and especially benefits rural areas that need financial help.

Both candidates said they'd like some reform to occur in federal campaigns, with Hackett in support of term limits of 6 to 10 years for members of Congress.

"We have built-in term limits, they're called elections," said Carney, who was elected to his first, two-year term in 2006.

Hackett countered that incumbents like Carney have an edge and are more likely to be re-elected because the "system is rigged in their favor."

Carney denied it, and pointed out that Hackett has been able to fund his own campaign with nearly $1.5 million of his own money.

When asked about how their positions have been distorted, Hackett addressed how Carney has produced ads that tout nine tax liens on his businesses.

"I've always paid my taxes," Hackett said, describing the liens as legitimate business tax disputes.

Carney held firm, saying the ads are accurate. "Not paying taxes on time is an issue," he said.

Both opposed the $700 billion bailout of the country's financial institutions and were asked how they would have handled the crisis.

Appropriate regulations and reducing the capital gains tax to zero for two years would have infused money into the market and raised confidence, Hackett said.

Other alternatives should have been brought to the table, said Carney, who voted against the bailout because none were offered and the final approved plan included $150 billion more for other projects.

A question about how the candidates would address illegal immigration elicited some heated remarks from Hackett.

Carney said he'd like to go after employers who hire illegal immigrants and get control of the border.

Both men said they do not favor amnesty for illegal immigrants, but Hackett accused the "do-nothing Congress" for failing to reform the system and said Carney voted to keep money away from defending the border by erecting a fence.

Carney denied he'd voted to withhold money for the border fence and took a swipe at Hackett for employing illegal immigrants at his businesses and his home.

The comment raised the ire of Hackett, who said, "You've lied twice," first, on the issue of his employing illegals at his business and second about his vote against funding the border fence.

Carney didn't back down, adding, "It does call into question your character."

At this point, the moderator continued with another question and the issue was dropped, even though later in the debate Hackett asked for proof that he's employed illegal immigrants at his businesses.

On the issue of Social Security, Carney said the $2.2 trillion fund is secure for at least 35 years or so, but Hackett said it continues to be raided by federal officials to pay day-to-day operations.

"For some reason, that's acceptable in Washington," he said. "We need to make sure it's solvent, not just for 35 more years, but for generations."

Hackett said because of a lack of political courage, federal representatives have failed to come up with alternatives, such as encouraging younger Americans to create personal retirement accounts.

Asked to define spreading the wealth, Hackett said he'd like to see a flat tax system that would help keep businesses from going overseas and said the Carney-backed death tax is one example of how it's harmful.

Carney said the term means tax breaks for the middle class, who are being squeezed in the tight economy.

In closing remarks, Hackett said a vote for Carney "who has voted with (Democratic Majority Leader) Nancy Pelosi 90 percent of the time" would mean higher taxes and support of the liberal agenda.

Carney said he's shown a willingness to work with both parties, voting with Pelosi about 80 percent of the time and with Republican leaders on about 60 percent of the issues. "Together, we can address these issues," he said.

The debate will be shown again tonight on C-Span.