With disenfranchisement abut wars and employment concerns, why hasn't left socialism gained traction in the US?

The word "socialism" has been smeared and every schoolchild since 1950 was taught it is evil. But progressivism is on the rebound. We have been in a rightward swing, but that will change in 2012 if the right cannot come up with a moderate candidate and a sensible platform that does not include abolishing Medicare.