Nope. I don't think so. I think the merit requirements per rank is already is in their sort of "sweet spot" whereas it isn't excessively high, and at the same time, not too easy. Ignore those people who are complaining. They aren't receiving merits? Simple. It's highly likely simply because they don't deserve it. It's pretty much like janitors complaining why they aren't being promoted to a manager position in a company even if they know little to nothing.

Yes, 1000 is definitely A LOT of merits for a certain rank(legendary). But it isn't called "legendary" for no reason. It should be very hard to attain in the first place. It isn't even excessively difficult to attain to be honest, it's just going to take a while.