Thanks all for your suggestions. I am using quick connects and have moved forward with the solid. The funny thing is that I got a pack of red, green, and black wire from Radio Shack to use for my control panel. I was going to use green for player 1, red for player 2, and black for the ground. It just so happens that my three pack had stranded black wire, and it is working great for chaining common grounds!
I got the first three buttons and a joystick last night and it was great to actually be playing with it.
Shawn