If you're trying to read data from sensors that aren't hooked up and using that to determine whether or not to move, that could by your problem.
To run the Victor, you'll want the first one you posted. I'm sure you had the wrong syntax because you were typing from memory, not because you don't know it, but make sure it's
Code:
vicShoulder.Set(stickName.GetY())
Not
Code:
vicShoulder.Set(stickName.GetY)
Note the parentheses. If you don't have it, it should give a compiler error though, so probably not your problem.