Those seniors that understand the forum know that merit has directly and indirectly increased the hate levels to a significantly more unpleasant level.
They have created a 2 tier system and that will always result in some extra legitmate hate and friction.
When you understand how this is meant to self regulate then you realize it is based upon continual threat and collusion. The power will always break down into managable factions that will eventually agree to divide up the spoils and attack all possible competition except insurmountable opponents ( the other factions).
You don't see the constant state of fear, loathing, seething hate at the unfairness those not part of these abusing factions will feel?
Merit is a highly destructive cancer. It could be made useful with some minor tweaks.