Also, given recent events, I guess at least a couple of (quite Heavy) merit sources have been demoted.
Don't know how far out of the loop I've been, but what events are you referring to, and who are these 'heavy' merit sources that might have been demoted? O_e_l_e_o was one if I'm not mistaken, but he left the forum of his own accord and that wouldn't qualify as a demotion (but it would leave an open slot as far as I'm concerned).
I am firmly convinced that in the conditions for the appointment of a merit-source there should be a clause "a candidate for the role of a merit-source must NOT have any business-related activities".
Em, again....did I miss something with icopress mixing his campaign management with something he shouldn't have? Is there any substance to the argument that he'd misuse the source sMerits he'd be allotted were he to be made a merit source?
As far as that proposed requirement above, a lot of members have some sort of "business-related activities" and if Theymos were to assume that there would automatically be a conflict of interest, that there would be merit abuse because of those business activities, the list of merit sources would likely consist of drooling morons below Full Member rank who couldn't tell what a good post looks like. In other words, it's not a good suggestion. No offense.