I still really think we should add more donator ranks so things like this are less likely to happen and people can just buy themselves the equivalent rank rather than beg and fish for merits with threads created solely to try receive merit. It's counter-productive when that happens.
I would prefer modifying copper member, such as silver and gold member rather than donator which have fixed costs.
More donator ranks as in new, different ones ie Silver and Gold Member etc.
I don't believe that buying high ranking accounts is good. It tends to bypass the selection process, and it is a bit confusing for members. However, lets say a senior exec from a £10billon exchange wants to join - should he have to start as a newbie, when he clearly isn't a Bitcoin newbie? I would suggest a new rank of "sponsor", and it would be up to Theymos to decide if an applicant is suitable. Posting and advertising rights could be based on either payment, or the status of the sponsor's organisation.
I'm not suggesting people buy accounts or even the current user ranks but the benefits thereof ie you buy a Silver Membership which gets you the benefits of Full Member and Gold gets you the benefits of a Hero or something. You'd still be a Newbie or whatever just with the additional title. It's very hard for an average poster to rise through the ranks, hell, even a decent poster probably won't achieve the sufficient merit to become a Hero within the timeframe it takes to get the required activity so skipping the queue by donating seems like a win-win to me.