> Most of the founders I deal with pay their employees before the founders themselves get a dime of salary. Sure the founders get the bulk of the equity. But they also give their employees equity awards, even though the employees get paid a salary, as well (i.e. they don't take on the same risk).

Employees don't take on the same risk because they typically can't bear the same risk. This is the equivalent of lauding the bravery of a stunt double for jumping off a roof when they've got a big blue safety cushion waiting for them just outside the frame.