How about the ability to "like" or "+1" a post? To prevent obvious abuse, you must have positive trust and seniority to vote. A +1 should not give any advantage to a a post.
This is great Idea, having "Like" button in every post we create. Also, the idea in number of Likes will be one of the basis having a merit point. Hopefully this may happen in our forum.
If it will be free from liking a post, then some people would abuse it even they have trust rating. If we are giving a like on a certain suggestion that really help, then why just give a merit. Thats simple.
But still, we are a transition for the merit system. Positive effects for lower ranks really make a change if this members really want to stay in the forum.