From a left-ponder's perspective, "Mer'kn", however you want to spell it, goes with the sort of jerk who says things like "I'm a g/God-fearing red-blooded Mer'kn, and I think all them ni***rs and Eye-rakies should crawl back in their caves". There are a few of them around - a lot less than others may think - and it's not an image I'd like to be associated with.