Given the many "where did the sales go" threads on this and many other wm forums, keep in mind that we're in one hell of a recession. Many of the jobs lost are NOT coming back. And many of those who had funds for luxuries/impulse buys have to worry about NECESSITIES now. As we speak, affiliate marketing in general is EVOLVING to track these changes. Change is painful... but it is necessary.
Regardless, there are many faces and degrees regarding long-term unemployment, here's a very human look at the economic downturn
http://www.latimes.com/business/unemployment/