[Program Note: I had intended to write something different today, but it turned out to be more research-intensive than I had originally thought. So, instead, I am putting it together for tomorrow, as a bit of a departure from my normal Friday Talking Points (as I am often wont to do). But because we'll be pre-empting the weekly talking points, I thought this was a good way to fill that void. So see you all tomorrow, and for today, enjoy some finer wordsmithing than I am capable of, courtesy of Senator Warren.]

Senator Elizabeth Warren has another viral video out. Tuesday, she spoke to a forum on the middle class, and in the past two days the video has been viewed over a million times on Facebook.

In it, she asks precisely the right questions of the Republicans who are now using soaring language to speak of the plight of the middle class in America. As Warren put it, it's time for such Republicans to "put up or shut up."

It's important for Democrats to get out in front of the framing of this issue. Republicans are already signaling they're going to make talking about the middle class a centerpiece of their 2016 election campaign. They're already attacking Hillary Clinton for being some sort of wealthy out-of-touch elitist (the memories of how Mitt Romney was defeated still sting many Republicans, and they're planning on trying to play the same card against Clinton).

But, again as Warren says, talk is cheap. Talking about the problems of the middle class isn't the same thing as proposing and supporting policies that would actually do anything to fix those problems. Democrats would do well to stress this crucial difference, every chance they get. And, as usual, Elizabeth Warren is showing everyone how it should be done.

From Warren's remarks (the whole video is well worth watching):

Recently Republicans seem to have discovered the struggles of America's middle class. Out of nowhere, they're suddenly talking about this problem. Well that's great, but talk is cheap and when it comes to action, these Republicans seem to have amnesia about what they've actually done to hard-working Americans. Republican trickle-down policies created tax breaks and loopholes for the wealthy while leaving working families to pick up the pieces. I'll believe Republicans care about what's happening to America's middle class when they stop blocking legislation that would require billionaires to pay taxes at least at the same rate that teachers and firefighters do. Republican trickle-down economics blocked increases in the minimum wage that would have lifted 14 million people out of poverty.

I'll believe that Republicans care about what's happening to America's working families when they stop blocking minimum wage increases and agree that no one, no one in this country should work full time and still live in poverty. Republican trickle-down economics squeezed billions of dollars of profits out of people who had to borrow money to go to college. I'll believe Republicans care about what's happening to America's future when they agree to refinance student loans.

I could go on, but the point is the same: Talk is cheap. It's time for action -- action that will strengthen America's middle-class families and build a strong future, action that will produce good jobs now and in the future. It is time to put up or shut up. I have a message for my Republican colleagues: You control Congress. Stop talking about helping the middle class, and start doing it.

-- Chris Weigant

Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant