I posted to suggest another possibility. Human nature manifests itself in a variety of forms. 
I believe the answer is to restrict merit awards to a maximun of 2 at a time, or possibly 5, but certainly no more than that.
It would impact in two ways,I believe the answer is to restrict merit awards to a maximun of 2 at a time, or possibly 5, but certainly no more than that.
Good Impact : It would stop users from sending fake merits as 50 for single line posts.
Bad Impact : It would allow shit posters to do more one line posts so they can get multiple merits points by their fake senders.This would indeed increase shit-posting on the forum.