The merit earning system, as it seems is INTENDED to work is not realistic at all. Assuming you pay 100 million to buy your first 10,000 merits: In essence, that would mean for those buying their upkeep, the entire 50 million in weekly earnings would have to be dumped to merits, plus some if the 2nd contribution was half the first and continuing on from there:
By FD's formula:
week1: 10,000 = 10,000
week2: 5000 + 5000 = 10000
week3: 2500 + 2500 + 5000 = 10000
week4: 1250 + 1250 + 2500 + 5000 = 10000
week5_ 625 + 1250 + 2500 + 5000 = 9375
week6: 625 + 1250 + 2500 + 5000 = 9375
etc....
The way it CURRENTLY stands isn't much better, but the contribution fluctuates from 5000 merits down to 3000 merits and back up (roughly). (depending on if your 2nd contribution week was 2500 or 5000 merits).
Now, assuming you DON'T want to buy your merits, then making your way up to and maintaining 10000 merits IS IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!
By FD's formula:
week1: 10,000 = 10,000
week2: 5000 + 5000 = 10000
week3: 2500 + 2500 + 5000 = 10000
week4: 1250 + 1250 + 2500 + 5000 = 10000
week5_ 625 + 1250 + 2500 + 5000 = 9375
week6: 625 + 1250 + 2500 + 5000 = 9375
etc....
The way it CURRENTLY stands isn't much better, but the contribution fluctuates from 5000 merits down to 3000 merits and back up (roughly). (depending on if your 2nd contribution week was 2500 or 5000 merits).
Now, assuming you DON'T want to buy your merits, then making your way up to and maintaining 10000 merits IS IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!