SEO text links vs. buttons alt-tag

Hi again experts!  

I have two colors on my pages, one column dark, other light.  Causes problems for roll-over on text links, and so I was considering putting the side bar navigation into buttons with alt ON.

Hard question to answer, giventhat SE's have such complex criterium for values, people using alt-tags for keyword slamming, etc....I'm guessing here.  Don't want to not know something I should be wary of.

So the link - IS THIS FOR YOU?, would be a button, and it's alt would be?  IS THIS FOR YOU?  if that's what I wanted it to say, and hyperlink to the IS THIS FOR YOU page, which is actually titled something else, because it's really Golf-Game-Training Information as to why you might want this.......

Actually my navigation text links to the pages in the site, are not keyword worthy anyway.  They are more user-friendly, so maybe I don't care.  But if should I change them later, which is likely, the question remains for buttons vs. text link - knowing the latter is preferred, but wondering if the se's will read these buttons as the navigation they are, and how to ensure I don't botch something picky I should be aware of.

I am aware of Flash not being read, and my header is a "flash movie" containing a few links, not concerned.  I really don't want to DO java navigation; however, if the SE's read that better, I will do that instead of buttons?  That is an important part of this question - I'm aware that Flash navigation is not prescribed and why, and that text links are the best - however what about all the rest?  smile.  Buttons, java menus, etc.?  And would the fact that I have a site-map text link to a site-map that lists all links help - how much does that weigh?

 I've reviewed many posts, however, not really getting the direct question answered so any tips, information would be greatly appreciated.

THANKS!!!!!
Deb