Why is "the common good" get translated into "Socialism" in America?

[mwdesigncreate]

I know! Many people here don't realize that we already have many "socialist" traits within this country. Police, Military, Fire departments, roadways, water, sewer, welfare, state insurance programs, income based housing, and the list goes on...
Anything that's government run, organized, or funded could be considered socialist, but a lot of people don't realize that.

I think a lot of people bad mouth it because they don't know what it really is. We're just taught that democracy/capitalism is "the only way."

Capitalism, like we have in the U.S. is pretty much a "every man for themselves" type of system. If you get dealt a bad hand in life with either bad luck, bad economic upbringing, or failed at life in any other way, the society basically casts you aside to fend for yourself. Some people are doomed from the start and never have a chance to build a good life.
Socialism is for "the common good" and the country's wealth is more evenly spread around to give everyone a shot.