That's an estimate and, as programmers, we all know how (un)trustworthy estimates are and how universal cost overruns are, particularly for a government program

That's an estimate and, as programmers, we all know how (un)trustworthy estimates are and how universal cost overruns are, particularly for a government program and especially at the scale UBI would be implemented at. It also seems likely that those estimates are optimistic about continued economic growth; could the US afford to continue UBI in a deep recession or depression? Moreover, even if things go as planned initially, eventually that $1k a month will start creeping up because of public and other political pressure. The world is not going to stand still. Even the great European democracies can't afford UBI (and they're not even covering the costs for their own military defense!). There is no reason to believe that the United States can.