Looking for love in all the wrong places

This will be a short one - just something I'd like to get off my chest.
I have a long way to go before I feel like I am in a place where I want to settle down and create a family. After some conversations with my friend Dan, who is somewhat in the same place as I - we came to the conclusion that a significant other is only significant if they provide you with the necessary support you need in order to continue doing what you want to do in life.
This came about by me saying that a potential significant of mine will have to be employed and stable (not just financially, but emotionally and spiritually as well), he will have to be able to work towards a lifestyle that is mutually agreed upon. Yet his argument was that it's not about the money, that if a person you grow feelings for happens to be unemployed, but has passion and drive to obtain a goal then they can be worked with.
I don't know about anyone else, but I have passed the stage of supporting a partner through unemployment or carrying the relationship financially because my man is always broke. I think I've been traumatized by being smooched on, taken for granted and used. I'm not by any means looking to get repaid by imposing unrealistic demands on my future men, however I do enjoy a certain level of tradition when it comes to relationships, one of them being a man who feels protective of me and who enjoys taking care of me every now and again.
I'm no miser either, I am a reciprocal lover. I like to show my appreciation in the form of gifts and outings every once in a while and I don't hold my tongue when it comes to praise and an occasional ego stroke. So am I wrong for wanting a semi traditional modern metro sexual to spend time with. I think not! But i tell you, its difficult to find one with a balance of these characteristics. I've found those who were Too metro - they might as well have been Gay. Or too traditional - which kept me looking over my shoulder for the club he would soon pull out to claim me as property.
I just chalk it up to 'its just not time', I'm not ripe for love - so while on my journey down 'doing me my way' road I will only believe that a well balanced man is out there getting his scales just right for our chance meeting. Hopefully by the time someone suitable appears, I'm not so set in my ways that my road becomes 'my way or the highway' - that's very possible too! Talk amongst yourselves...

originally published 11/25/2005:

Editor's Note - my views on love since the initial posting has evolved slightly. If the one I love has suddenly become unemployed, I would be happy to support him through the occasion, whether to help build a business, take a break or fuel a passion (within the limits of our budget and life circumstance of course). But, being habitually unemployed with no attempts to stabilize just won't cut it. period.