Susan Collins in 2008 ME Senate Debates

On Corporations: Excess corporate pay rewards risk-taking over results

On Energy & Oil: Double funding for low-income home weatherization programs

Collins said she would double funding for low-income heating and home weatherization programs, rein in big oil company tax subsidies, expand domestic oil production and pursue the development of alternative energy sources.

Allen said he supports a $2,000 tax credit & a 1%-interest loan for home weatherization projects, ending subsidies for oil companies, and expanding energy source alternatives.

On Free Trade: Some trade agreements have resulted in more tariffs

Collins said trade agreements have created some jobs in Maine, such as an agreement with Chile for Maine potatoes at Burger King restaurants. But some trade agreements have resulted in tariffs that have hurt other Maine agricultural and forest sectors, she said.

Allen said he is co-sponsoring legislation that would review existing trade agreements that have done a lot of damage to the U.S. economy.

On Principles & Values: Focuses on seniority & forging bipartisan solutions

On War & Peace: Exert economic pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear program

Collins said she is one of 50 co-sponsors of a resolution that calls on the US to take the lead in exerting economic pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear weapon development. “This is not something the US can do alone,” she said.

On Budget & Economy: We tried & failed in 2005 to tighten mortgage regulations

But she said a 2005 House bill to tighten regulations was too weak, and that Allen voted against two amendments that would’ve strengthened it. That version died in the Senate. But a different bill, with the amendments, eventually became law last July.

Allen said the bigger problem is the economic policies of President Bush. He said they drove up the national debt. At the same time, there was a lack of oversight of Wall Street practices, Allen said. “The belief in letting the markets run their course has never been stronger than in this administration,” he said.

Both Collins and Allen agreed that the revised version of the bailout vote was better than the first because it had added oversight and more safeguards for taxpayers.