As a newbie, I read many posts that has quality. After reading the posts I'll feel like to merit the post, but as a newbie, I might not have a sendable merit, I will have no option than to slide on.
Assuming there is an alternative to merit just like "Facebook like" along side merit, it would favour me.
Atleast if I don't have merit to give, I will just click like and move on pending when I'll have merit to award the user.
This proposed "like" might likely not be used by admins, or neither shall it determine ranking, but it should just be a mere appreciation for a quality post when merit is lacking.
The only drawback of having both the merit and the like button is that most people will like the post without given the merit (as merits are rare and precious).
I personally don't like this idea. Again it can be treated in number of different ways like you press the like (shown publicly) and other people may give them merits thinking that the person who liked the post didn't have smerit to spend.