I guess that's where the problem with the big WHO comes...
Precisely. Borrowing the metaphor from Erik - do you hand your car keys to every random stranger who tells you he needs a car? Or do you perhaps want to know a few facts about the guy first - like whether he has a valid driver's license, insurance, is trusted by someone you trust and will bring the car back?
So yes, if you come with a history of copyright violations tucked under your belt, you won't get access in a hurry. If you have a history of clean, well structured merge requests you'll see it happen quickly.
That's how the world usually runs - you have to demonstrate your abilities before you get responsibilities.
Well, as far as I know commits to fgmembers are checked by IAHM-COL and not everyone has access while I understand that 57 people mean everybody for you.
I think the 57 was about the number of FGMembers users quoted in another thread, so yeah, that's everyone. And as for Israel checking commits - he is personally responsible for several license violations - either he doesn't understand licensing or he doesn't care - so nobody is going to trust that kind of procedure.
It's like pointing to a car thief in prison when I ask whether someone can vouch for you to borrow my car - doesn't inspire confidence.