People get a bit bratty when Amazon drops the rates on certain categories. They need to be clear on what the Affiliate program's purpose is. The goal isn't to kick back money to people who link to Amazon, it's there to make Amazon dominant in multiple markets.

They're there now. They have critical mass. They're the first place organic search for new stuff.

There's no sense in throwing money after sales they'd already get. They're better off using it as discount to get sales they wouldn't.