It's very hard raiting up now.
This system should be slightly changed, for example, given to members with a high rank every month a few merits.
This way, the changed merit system will go further away from its original purposes. It is harder to rank up due to merit system, even if you want to reach Ledgandary position. To reach there with old rank system, you will need about 3 years after creating new account. I don't think you can not earn 1000 merits during the long 3-year-period.
Shit posters can not get 1000 merits even if they have 100 years joined the forum. However, constructive users can earn those numbers of merits.