I ended up buying the Epiphone Les Paul Special II. I like the double humbuckers and for my style right now, the action is great. I played the Squire and the Epiphone just sounded better. Just for ****s and giggles I picked up a $4500 USD Stratacaster and I have to admit that at some point in time in my playing I will by all means be getting a "good" guitar. But for now, I'm pretty happy with this one.
Thanks,
Dan