I do find it curious how many get sucked into rabid negativity with the concept of socialism
That's because it concentrates power in the hands of a few, and places trust in them to do the right thing. More often than not, they don't.
There's a strange contradiction in public opinion where I live (UK): most people (rightly) distrust politicians, and many think the government is incompetent. Yet mention privatisation, and expect to lose your head...
You mentioned socialized defense, roads/bridges and other infrastructure. Of course, one can extend this to US justice and penal system, banking system (the Fed, FDIC), farming industry, food & drug quality control, air, land & water traffic control, and countless other endeavors have all been socialized for many, many years, as the better and most cost-efficient practice of providing reliable and credible services and protection to citizens.
I'd love to see the Government release their monopoly on these services. Then we'd see a truly efficient and cost effective service.