What are you talking about? Merit system was launched to increase quality of forum threads generally, not for single user. In addition, if you are contributive user, you will earn merits from many users in the forum (no need to beg to merits from your friends).
Another minus point is you should not trading merits (buying or exchanging).
I think it is right time to lock your topic. Please do it.
As you can read I indicated that I am for the merit system. Only it's a pity that it does not always cause the quality to increase. Friends can help each other, and merit points can also be bought.
Anyway. It is not my intention to get into a discussion. It's my intention to clarify how you get a fair assessment system, without the above issues.
I hope that other people will also be able to comment on this