The function of merit is to disrank everyone. Merit will disable the rank. Without enough merit base on the require merit for the members it won't allow to rank. The system scenario is base on the reality that their are more spammers that rank easily without sweat.
Disrank everyone ? Do you think before typing here. No one is going to loose current rank because the merit system. It is for the new members and ranking up. And if it is asking for some some merits to rank up, why will it prevent members from ranking up ? Many already ranked up after the merit system and thus this assumption makes no sense.
Please choose your words wisely before posting here as it can misguide the new members. A single word can change the meaning of your post completely.