And to those people claiming the joke fell flat because you didn’t understand it – the joke was the woooossshhhhing noise that you may have heard. Just because you lack the intelligence to understand someone is taking the piss out of you, doesn’t mean it isn’t funny.

But Main Street’s still all cracked and broken.

I wish! They spent $60 million dollars making it all fancy with imported blue stone. Of course it was only supposed to cost $30 million but when it’s not your money, what does it matter if it costs a little bit more?

Another good question would be …

If we don’t do the CRL, what do we do instead to support efficient movement of people and freight in Auckland?

Some neither Kiwibloggers nor the Minister of Transport seem capable of answering in an evidence based manner.

64% of Aucklanders want the city rail tunnel

Did the other 36% of the survey sample express a preference to keep sleeping in the parks and under the bridges?

Good idea, maybe if Aucklanders want to build big transport projects, they should elect a council that will, say, levy a regional fuel tax on residents. Oh, wait.

In mid-sentence he’d drop in some obscure reference that no-one got; chuckle to himself for a moment; then be startled by the sea of blank faces looking at him; compose himself with a “yes, well, where was I…?” and carry on.

As for Aucklanders wanting the silly rail loop. That is crap. The were asked about payment preferences.

No they weren’t.

* 75% of Aucklanders want integrated bus-rail improvements to their public transport
* 64% support building the major City Rail Link (CRL) project, only 14% oppose
* 64% of those who support the CRL want it built “as soon as possible”, 22% by 2020
* Only 3% of CRL supporters think that it does not need to be complete by 2020

* Over half of respondents were looking for the Government to contribute significantly to the cost of the City Rail Link project.
* Tolling new roads was supported by 30% of respondents overall and had broad support across areas, except Rodney. Indications are that Papakura respondents also would not support this, although Franklin respondents appeared to support it at above average level.
* Targeted rates are supported by 24% and have more support in Rodney and North Shore than other areas.
* A partial sell-down of Auckland assets is supported by 17% of respondents.
* A regional fuel tax has least support in Rodney, Papakura and Franklin.
* Least supported were increasing general rates and increasing airport departure tax, supported by 8% and 7% of respondents respectively.

[DPF: First of all you are quoting a polling company whose final pre-election poll said Labour was only 5% behind National, so until there is a change of methodology there I take any results with scepticism.

The question not asked is. If Aucklanders had to fully fund the CBD rail loop, it would mean an average extra $x per years on your rates bill or likely increase in your rent. Are you willing to pay this to get the CBD rail loop.

Another good question would be If Aucklander motorists had to fully fund the CBD rail loop, it would mean an average extra xc per litre on regional petrol charges. Are you willing to pay this to get the CBD rail loop.]

Except those 64% of Aucklander want someone else to pay for it. That 64% also really want everybody else to then take the train so they themselves get a quicker trip on the motorway.

Cost misrepresentation? Any loser knows that when a “fixed price”(sic) for any public works (especially when given by someone who just wants his name on a plaque and will not have to pay the money themselves) is given, the price will blow out by three to four times, at least. If only we could get it for 3Billion. When we hit four or five billion, will be interested in the comments then. “Well the rock was harder than we expected”, “too much water came in”, “we didnt expect that building on Queen St. to collapse into the hole”, “we ran into more taniwha than we expected”, etc., etc.

Get SH20-Waterview finished, then we’ll listen.

Sorry KS – didnt see your comment until I hit send

As for Aucklanders wanting the silly rail loop. That is crap. The were asked about payment preferences. There are many things that I would like, starting with an ability to ship every left wing/red melon twit to the Great Southern Basin – for the rest of their natural. I can complain but it will never happen.

So you silly soft headed, left wing, white shoe shufflers, pay for your loop, 100%, and you can have it. But do not expect me to give you one, solitary, cent.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUXqnkce84&w=560&h=315

Instead, crack lame jokes that no one gets.