So after further reading I found an forum post that said something along the lines of the left ctrl and other non character buttons could throw a monkey in the works. I changed all inputs into simple lowercase letters, and BOOM SHAKALAKA! We have buttons that work! I am noticing that the silicone button pads have too much resistance for the pi to realize a button has been pressed. Using a piece of aluminum foil worked fine though. I am hoping now its the lengths of wire going into various breadboard slots that is adding just a hair too much resistance. If not, I can always glue little hole punched circles of aluminum foil to the insides of the button rubber pad things.