<...>Perhaps @LoyceV or @DdmrDdmr could provide us with some numbers - how many users have earned over 100 merit since the system was introduced? <...>
Well thats pretty quick to draw up (as of today):
Number of forum members with >= 500 earned Merits: 34
Number of forum members with >= 400 earned Merits: 57
Number of forum members with >= 300 earned Merits: 96
Number of forum members with >= 200 earned Merits: 176
Number of forum members with >= 100 earned Merits: 463
Number of forum members with >= 50 earned Merits: 1036
(I wouldnt go any lower than that).
It is a rather limited set of people, and again, it would create a wealth class distinction if used in someway to get a pardon granted.