This is going to sound cliched, but I'm doing this in part for the people who can't do this. I have the flexibility to do this, and I kind of figure "from me, according to my ability". If it improves the situation, then I've succeeded to some small extent.

Everyone else: if you can't stick your neck out, DON'T.

(Also, some people want to hire you because you're a straight shooter and you don't stand for bullshit. It's not burning bridges, it's finding the ones that weren't worth a damn in the first place. The good ones will still be there, and will be even stronger for it.)