Are the Flaming Fist the worst group of gaurds ever?

Throughout the entire game, every time you meet them they're either barely holding down peace, in a losing fight, or just straight up dead.

Waukeen's Rest burned down and the Duke was kidnapped. The whole Blighted Village and Goblin Camp don't even concern them apparently. The Shadowlands are completely held together by the Harpers and the Flaming Fist in Last Light is actually a double-agent and tries to kidnap their leader!

They have basically no hold on Baldur's Gate to the point where they're having trouble with squatters; the Steel Watch has effectively replaced them as the city gaurd.

So, are they the worst group of gaurds ever??