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

[Rick]

Because Bush said so.

[Todd]

Most of the retards have no idea what "socialism" means. I've heard people go as far as accusing people of being a socialist because they don't despise gay people. We really need to rid our country of the morons on the right. All they do is cause damage.

[darren m]

Think of socialism as for common good that is what it is done for which is why rich dislike it. Odd because less Gov is what they are for and if not Gov then people make money and are in charge on social structure. Socialism is good . A person can also puzzle over benefits,charities, and such for reason these said could put social programs or structure to remove necessity not.

[Chupate esa!]

It's plain fear mongering.

[kingofredlions87]

There is a difference between Socialism as an Ideology and a Social Democracy.

Many European governments (like Norway) are Social Democracies that take the large divide between the elite and the poor and push the barrier together.With the barriers pushed together everyone is then equal and all the issues of the elite recieving more are gone.
Taxes will increase for the funding of things like: Free Education, and Nationalized Healthcare.

In America, the "common good" is so closely held as being the same as Communism (which in itself is a far left version of Socialism). The misconceptions are a result from a lack of education, and a lack of looking at ideologies Objectively.

[ggraves1724]

It very well could be for the common good if the good applied to all. With out going into too much detail, how can you be supportive of an electorate that would spend your money freeing mismanaged companies of bad credit risk, that is, companies that took your money in the form of stock options purchased, spent it unwisely and then get a free pass when they blew it and were on the brink of bankruptcy? if it were for the common good I would ask why the hundreds of thousands of home owner who lost their homes due to bankruptcy or mismanagement of their money have absolutely no way to fix their credit outside of waiting for some unrealistic time period (about 7 years) before they can get back their good credit. All I'm saying; if it's for the common good isn't our government leaving out a large segment of the population? And this is just one subject.

[Scottie]

Because the military, transportation, water, and sewage are essential to our lives. We support those things because we need them.

We don't need...

Mr. Welfare who sits on his rear, can get a job but doesn't. Instead he collects a check from our pockets.

Mrs. Health care who has a cold and goes to the emergency room because shes knows she won't be paying for it. Where will the money come from? Out of our pockets.

The "common good" thing is a joke. The "common good" they speak of takes money from us and gives it to someone else for their benefit. Not our benefit. The real common good programs are the ones you mentioned: military, transportation, water, and sewage. We pay for them and we can benefit from them, which we do on a regular basis.

People who truly need help should receive it from willing people. We should give and take care of the needy out of choice not obligation.

[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.