A deserved user is a deserved one, no matter which rank is. A non-deserved legendary is a shit user, that built up shit reputation from shit posts.
Maybe a bit of a bias here: of course you think you deserve your rank, considering you are a legendary user.
Merit system works perfectly so far, and nearly completely prevent spammers to rank up. They all run out of their sMerits after their past waves of merit abusements, and after the ban wave, there are very less available sMerits from abusers.
I'm not saying that point of view is wrong, just pointing it out. Let's be real here: the new merit system was implemented to make it harder to progress.
A legitimate user does not equal to a good user. Why a legitimate user should rank up if continuous make non-sense, low quality posts? Making non-sense posts is nearly the same spam posts. Posts that are just a little bit longer does not equal to higher quality, and more constructive.
The original idea was to prevent spammers, etc. but it made it harder to legitimate users as well.
Once upon a time, old generations of forum users can rank up from their shit posts, but those shit high-ranked users by now don't have opportunities to get slots in good campaigns. They are less competitive (due to their post quality, their merit history) than self-made generations whom rank up from their contributions and their earned merits. This is why you can easily see the truth that majority of applicants and participants in Yobit campaign are old generation users. It's the fact.
IMO, there is no reason to be jealous with old generations, especially shitposters, instead you should focus on your journey, your contributions, to build up your name, and reputation in the forum. Then, you will become a better user than them, and forum community will do realise who you are.
It's not like older members had a choice in this new system, nor did they know it was going to be implemented. They earned their rank under the old system, which may have been less difficult but they still did. There is really no point in comparing the past to the present, as it's a completely different situation. There is really no point in being upset about this, as it's just complaining at this point. The new system is harder, but it's still doable if you put in the effort. The reason a lot of us are stuck is because we spend to much time lamenting the "older members", while we could be contributing to the forum.
Note:I am out of the endless discussion, because merit system will be here, will work as we have all seen, there is no need to discuss about merit system and request to lessen rank requirements.