Tesla stock value is declining. Whether due to violence at dealerships or other causes, this asset in Elon Musk’s portfolio is taking a hit. And for every “green” initiative that gets chopped, the electric car concept en toto devalues.

The Founders’ idea (whether it ever happened before or not) was citizen service for a term, then a return to private life. “Service” in politics is a buzzword used to signal personal sacrifice. It’s bullshit, but that’s how it’s used. No politician says, “I spent a lifetime working in office.” They say “I spent a lifetime in public service.”

Volunteers serve. Politicians work. Service does not mean and never meant building personal wealth. That’s just work. Go to work, collect check in exchange. Or perhaps investment builds wealth. Service does not. No one gets rich serving soup to the homeless or volunteering at the Special Olympics.

Despite the financial whack and personal danger, Elon Musk persists on this personally costly and, frankly, dangerous path. It simply is not the path of greed. And your social security number really isn’t that valuable an asset.

Ex-politicians charge stacks for speeches, consulting, and lobbying. God bless’em. How much money do you suppose the time of the richest man in the world is worth? Whether that time is spent giving speeches, consulting, or subcontracting, how much should such a person charge for his work product? If you were to hire Sundar Pichai, for example, to come speak to your company at a leadership retreat, how much might the bill be?

Mr. Musk is not “stealing” as some ping pong paddles say. He is sacrificing. He is literally serving. He is subordinating his interests. His life is in constant danger as a result of this service. Agree with his actions or not, but he is definitely serving in the truest sense of the word.

Clearly, the same applies to Donald Trump.

The only reason people in such positions would do this is because they believe in it. If Sundar Pichai decides to do the speech for free, you can be assured it’s because he believes in it. He considers it important enough to absorb what can only be a tremendous opportunity cost.

Liberal leaders are instinctively compelled to superimpose ulterior motives because true service does not occur to them. (I blame no one for being jaded.) By way of example, the “salary v net worth” metric applied to Nancy Pelosi illustrates clearly that she worked or invested in some way to hoard those stacks (I applaud every legally-gained dollar). Whatever she does, it is not altruism. She does not and never served. Democrat leaders do not serve. They profit. They do not sacrifice personal wealth.

I do not, in any way, suggest that our leaders impoverish themselves or compromise quality of life to demonstrate purity of heart. They each should be paid (and very well) for excellent work product. But when someone truly sacrifices, truly serves, we should be grateful. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such service and sacrifice in politics before, but the Musk/Trump phenomenon is either the first of its kind or the best-case example that ever happened.

I am grateful for it.