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I read this chapter as the culmination of the training of the hobbits, as Gandalf said when he parted from them. It was, in fact, their job to deal with the problems at home. The inhabitants of The Shire certainly had the courage and strength to resist, but they lacked a motivating force. On a smaller scale what the adventurers did upon their return home was what Gandalf had done in Rohan and Gondor. As Gandalf was given the power to kindle hearts so the returning hobbits did. It was not that there were not valiant and strong men in Rohan and Gondor but they needed Gandalf's urging and guidance to strike together and overcome feelings of defeat and hopelessness. The return of Frodo and his friends lit the fire. As to why nobody took care of Saruman beforehand... I doubt greatly that Saruman ever came in range of any hobbits who may have tried to strike a blow. He had his ruffians for that, much as Sauron had his orcs. They were expendable, but once a certain number of the inhabitants were suppressed and their leaders were locked up there wasn't much danger to Saruman and his crew.
I found the fact that Frodo wished to spare Saruman even in the end in hope he would find his cure was one of the most touching moments of the entire trilogy. How sad for Saruman that he refused to let go of his hate and regain his wisdom.
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