Why is socialism such a bad word in the USA?

The underlying philosophy of socialism is based on the idea that the community looks after one another and no one is left out in the cold...Those who value wealth acquisition can still be super wealthy. What is wrong with seeing our Society as a community rather then treating each other as enemies, consuming one another. Look at the scandinavian nations and most parts of europe. They seem to be able to look after each other and be financially successful at the same time. Its as if Americans aren't happy unless they can "take" from there neighbors in the name of absolute individualism and predatory capitalism. I would dare say even the puritans who built the American philosophical ideal would even cringe.