text: America made a point to do that under Fr Reese.  It debated a diverse number of issues with competing columnists. He was canned.  The current version is more like pablum for disengaged pew sitters whether from a progressive or conservative position.  Very few articles really engage one's intellect. I agree with anniec and Elagabalus.  There has never been a left wing version of First Things.  This NCR has taken it's share of ecclesiastical beatings but still continues precisely because it has no clerical or religious affiliation.  Theoretically one could say that about Commonweal, but too many of it's main editors and contributors are affiliated with Catholic colleges/universities or are religious/clerical.  It too can hardly be considered progressive.