They had better do something

[alpacinou]

Hello.

Is it okay to use "had better" in a formal essay?

Are these okay and natural?

1. The government had better increase the tax of big corporations.

2. People had better reduce their use of plastic.

3. Parents had better educate their children about moral values from an early age.

4. Parents had better mildly punish children who disrespect their elders.

5. The government and education officials had better increase the role of technology is classroom.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Yes.

I like should and ought to more.

Because: Better than what? And how is that different than had best? How do you decide whether the comparative or superlative makes more sense? It seems like a logical rabbit hole that is better (best?) avoided.